Communiqué - Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), as the meteorological authority, has reported that Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is approaching the Azores. It could reach category 1 hurricane status, producing gale-force winds, heavy rainfall and a high risk of flooding and property damage.

It is essential that everyone remains vigilant and follows the guidelines issued by the official authorities to ensure the safety of all.

According to the IPMA, red warnings will be in effect for the Western and Central group islands.

All information on weather developments will be updated tomorrow. All recommendations will be presented in a communiqué issued by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, alongside the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action. 

I encourage everyone to pay close attention to the communiqué as well as all information and guidance from civil protection authorities.

Today, I signed an order determining that, due to the approach of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle, from 6 p.m. on September 25 until 6 p.m. on September 26, all public services and entities located on the western and central group islands will be closed on September 26.

The exception will be for services considered urgent and essential, namely hospitals, health centres, civil protection services and services complementary to civil protection action, as well as others deemed necessary by the respective government authorities.

For all residents and visitors and for all islands, it is recommended that everyone take the best self-protection measures.

While it is not possible to avoid the hurricane, it is possible to reduce everyone's exposure to risk.

The following is recommended:

- Stay informed on official media outlets and follow the instructions given by the authorities.

- Avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors or in safe locations during the hurricane.

- Secure doors and windows, removing loose objects from balconies or gardens that could be blown away by the wind.

- If you are in a risk area or are advised to evacuate, follow the instructions provided by the authorities immediately. Prioritise your safety and that of your family.

- Avoid staying in or travelling through forest areas and trails.

The passage of Gabrielle through the Azores is an adverse weather event of major intensity, with a significant impact on the safety of the population, normal daily life, and the functioning of essential infrastructure and services.

Under the terms of the legal framework for the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and given the high risk arising from the current situation, it is necessary to adopt preventive and immediate response measures, in accordance with the severity of the effects already felt and expected.

In this context, the temporary closure of school establishments and public services is recommended to ensure the safety of people and the effective mobilisation of protection and rescue resources. Additional measures should also be adopted, such as declaring a state of alert and activating the appropriate operational coordination instruments.

An alert situation may be declared when, in the event of or in anticipation of one or more serious accidents or disasters, it is known that preventive measures and/or special response measures need to be taken.

Regional Legislative Decree No. 12/2021/A of April 22 establishes the Legal Framework for the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. This decree lays out the components of the system, defines responsibility for civil protection policy, and organises the structure of the respective services.

 According to Article 4, an alert situation may be declared whenever, in the event of a serious accident or disaster, or the imminent threat thereof, the need to adopt preventive and/or special response measures is recognised.

The competence for the Declaration of Alert lies with the member of the Regional Government with competence in civil protection matters, upon proposal by the president of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, to declare a state of alert in all or portions of the territory of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Measures may include:   

- Restricting unnecessary travel during the critical period;  

- Forbidding activities along the coastline and in waterfront areas;  

- Forbidding tourist activities, namely hiking and trails.

Other measures to be adopted by the population may also be defined and implemented, in accordance with municipal guidelines, aligned with the local civil protection strategy and after detailed identification of vulnerabilities and risks.

José Manuel Bolieiro

President of the Government of the Azores

Order No. 2121-A/2025 of September 24, 2025

Article 8

Act and material scope of the declaration of alert

1 - The act declaring the state of alert shall take the form of an order and shall expressly mention:

a) The nature of the event that gave rise to the declared situation;

b) The time and territorial scope;

c) The appropriate procedures for the technical and operational coordination of civil protection services and agents, as well as the resources to be mobilised;

d) Preventive measures to be adopted in accordance with the event that gave rise to the declared situation;

e) Restrictions or limitations on the movement or presence of persons, other living beings or vehicles, for reasons of safety or operational security.

2 - The declaration of a state of alert prompts the activation of the territorially competent institutional coordination structures, which ensure the coordination of all agents, entities, and institutions involved in protection and rescue operations.

3 - The declaration of a state of alert also prompts the activation of the territorially competent political coordination structures, which assess the need to activate the civil protection emergency plan for the respective territorial level.

4 - The declaration of a state of alert imposes a special obligation on the media, particularly radio and television stations, as well as mobile telecommunications operators, to cooperate with political and institutional coordination structures to disseminate relevant information about the situation.