Leiria, Portugal, Feb. 24, 2026 (Lusa) - The Polytechnic Institute of Leiria estimates losses of around €6 million caused to the higher education institution's buildings in the wake of Storm Kristin, the institution's president told the Lusa news agency.
Carlos Rabadão said that storms Kristin, Leonardo and Marta caused "extensive and widespread damage to the buildings of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, with significant financial implications".
"Based on a preliminary analysis of the impacts identified on the various campuses, educational buildings, student residences and associated infrastructure, the overall damage is estimated to be around €6 million," he said.
According to the president, this figure, which is not yet finalised, "is the sum of direct costs for repairs and replacement of damaged materials and logistical constraints".
The most significant damage was recorded on Campus 2, namely in Building A of the School of Technology and Management (ESTG) and in the José Saramago Library, as well as on Campus 5 - Health Innovation Hub, as a result of fallen trees, as well as damage to roofs and roofing, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment and solar panels.
"One of the buildings in the residential block located next to the Central Services suffered significant damage, with the partial collapse of the façade and impacts on the roof, which forced the immediate evacuation of the students who were in that building" and who "were promptly rehoused, ensuring their safety and continuity of accommodation conditions".
The new student residence under construction in the same area also suffered significant damage, added Carlos Rabadão.
The president of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria emphasised that the institution's five schools reopened on 2 February, after the restoration of power, water and communications services, allowing the ongoing exam period to continue.
Second-semester classes began as scheduled in the academic calendar.
"As the priority of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria is to take care of its educational community, an internal volunteer network was organised with the aim of identifying urgent needs and mobilising solidarity within the academic community," he noted.
The Student Support Centre (CAE) has also been available to provide immediate psychological and social support.
"It is important to note that the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria is collaborating in the Mission Structure - Reconstruction of the Central Region of the Country, namely in terms of communication and the development of a solution to optimise the collection of information on the damage caused by the storm," said Carlos Rabadão.
Eighteen people died in Portugal as a result of the Kristin, Leonardo and Marta storms, which also left many hundreds injured and homeless.
The total or partial destruction of homes, businesses and equipment, the fall of trees and structures, the closure of roads, schools and transport services, and the cutting off of power, water and communications, floods and inundations are the main material consequences of the storm.
The Central, Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Alentejo regions were the most affected.
EYC/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
