The storm struck on the night of 27 to 28 January, leaving extensive damage to houses, schools, roads and forests.

Although the immediate emergency has passed, the latest figures show recovery is still far from complete for some residents.

Social security

RTP reported the number of families still displaced as the storm reached its eight-month mark on Monday, 28 September.

A reporter visited a couple from Pederneira, in the municipality of Ourém, who live with their son, who has a disability. The family is staying in an apartment lent to them by the council, but they do not yet know what will happen in the longer term.

The 73 families are receiving support from municipalities and Social Security. This figure refers to families still displaced in the Leiria region, but it does not mean they are all in the same housing situation as the family RTP visited.

The effects of Kristin can still be seen beyond people’s homes. RTP said some pupils in the worst-hit areas were returning to classes in temporary containers, with repairs to several schools in Leiria and Marinha Grande still unfinished.

Support package

In February, the government announced a €2.5 billion package covering support for residents and businesses, as well as the recovery of public and private infrastructure.

It also set up a reconstruction team based in Leiria to coordinate work in the affected areas.

These latest displacement figures do not represent how many of those families have received reconstruction funding or when they might be able to return.

However, it reflects why the storm remains a present concern, eight months after it disappeared from the weather forecast.

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