Post-Storm Report from Madeira

Created by sue. Last modified on 2010-03-17 20:50:04
Countries: Madeira

For south-west Europe and the Atlantic islands, the winter weather of 2009-2010 was dominated by a long succession of low pressure systems tracking much further south of their normal path. The resultant high winds and rain storms brought death and destruction across the region, with Madeira suffering its worst weather on Saturday 20th February 2010.

The people of the island - residents, ex-pats and visitors - rallied round in their support of those most affected, especially the homeless, and the work of cleaning up and reconstruction started immediately.

While there are on-going repairs to some roads and bridges, a visitor to the island will find most of it unchanged and very much back to normal. It remains a beautiful island with spring now in the air and new plants emerging seemingly every day.

In the marina itself, the staff were as usual vigilant and careful in tending to the boats. Apart from the expected wear and tear on mooring lines, there was no damage or disruption.

As Joshua Slocum said of another island group, "islanders can be the kindest of people". How true.

Iain Buchanan
SV Ariadne
Marina Quinta do Lorde
March 9th 2010