Portugal Closes All Schools and Non-Essential Services Ahead of a Major Atlantic Storm
Portugal closed all schools and shuttered non-essential public services on Wednesday as a major Atlantic storm headed for the country's mainland. Streets remained largely deserted ahead of the arrival of Storm Charles after the government told people to stay at home as heavy rain and rough seas were expected to batter the Portuguese coast, with wind gusts of up to 140 kph (85 mph). It was the first time in living memory that Portugal’s roughly 8,000 schools had canceled classes nationwide over a storm forecast.
