ICEA: Environment & Extreme Events
The Instituto de Cultura Europeia e Atlântica (ICEA) held its latest session on 20 June at the Santa Marta auditorium in Ericeira. Professor José Luís Zêzere addressed the risks of floods, landslides, fires, wind, heatwaves and earthquakes, stressing that current scientific tools can measure exposure and should guide planning decisions.
Zêzere noted that Portugal has many safe building sites, yet inflexible property laws and complex land management often push development into hazard zones. Pedro Carrilho, forest engineer and Civil Protection coordinator for Mafra, described the municipality’s response to the 21 families evacuated during the 24-day rainfall period from 21 January to 14 February 2026, including the night-time collapse of one elderly couple’s home six hours after they were persuaded to leave.