While the world’s surfers rejoiced, it was a nightmare weekend for many along the coastline around Nazaré and Costa da Caparica. Huge waves caused widespread damage throughout the region, dragging numerous parked cars into the sea, smashing beach-restaurant windows, swallowing up man-made barriers, flooding homes and cutting off road-access. This was the second time since the New Year that huge waves have battered the western coastline.
The latest damage comes as a result of Atlantic storm ‘Bridget’, a low-pressure system that has been hitting west-facing coasts all the way from Scotland.
Firefighters were busy throughout the night of Sunday, with certain roads being cordoned off for drivers’ safety.
This morning, Nazaré mayor Walter Chicharro said forecasts were for another difficult day, with 5-6 metre waves still expected.
Wave damage extended right along the coast from Nazaré to Peniche and São Martinho do Porto (Alcobaça).
