Cyclone Gabrielle Impacts Portugal's Azores Islands: Less Severe Than Expected But Causes Significant Damage

Sep 26, 2025 07:55 pm CST

Cyclone Gabrielle struck Portugal's Azores archipelago with less intensity than forecast but still caused considerable damage including fallen trees and collapsed roofs. Despite lower-than-predicted wind speeds of 154 kph and reduced sea swells, authorities maintained precautionary measures including school closures and coastal activity restrictions across the mid-Atlantic island chain home to 250,000 residents.