With the Azores archipelago lying outside the region of warm tropical water, which acts as its fuel, it is somewhat rare for cyclones to reach the Portuguese islands.
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Gabrielle hit Portugal's Azores islands late Thursday into the early hours of Friday morning, reaching a speed of 185 kilometres per hour and causing over 100 incidents and damage to homes.
Winds and rain were less intense than expected, but the storm still toppled trees and collapsed roofs, authorities said.
According to Portugal's Civil Protection, there had been four cases of damage to homes and a serious one at Graciosa Aerogare. Four people had to be relocated, one on Graciosa and three on Faial Island, officials said.
Of the 103 incidents, 49 were resolved, according to the Civil Protection update. Most reports were of fallen trees, poles, and damage to a roof, with no casualties recorded.
"Fortunately, with the collaboration of the people and respect for self-protection measures, we were able to mitigate the effects of this cyclone," Alonso Miguel, Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action of the Azores, said.
The Cyclone reached the Azores, particularly the Central group (Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Terceira and São Jorge) at around 22:00 on Thursday, authorities said.
The highest wind gust, with a speed of 185 km/h, was recorded during the early hours, in Serra de Santa Bárbara on Terceira island, according to an early Friday report from the NHC - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Schools and public services closed
Ahead of the cyclone's arrival, the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed the islands on red alert, the highest emergency level, used only for extreme weather events with significant risk.
Authorities also cancelled all tourist and recreational activities for 24 hours and shuttered schools and public services, urging people to stay indoors.
With rough seas expected, the Civil Protection reminded the population that the cyclone context remains, recommending that they stay at home and avoid going to the coastline.
According to an IPMA statement, "from the end of the 27th - Saturday - on the west coast, periods of rain or showers are expected, which may occasionally be accompanied by thunderstorms, extending to the rest of the territory, especially to the Centre and South on the 28th".
With the Azores archipelago lying outside the region of warm tropical water, which acts as its fuel, it is somewhat rare for cyclones to reach the Portuguese islands.
The last cyclone to hit the Azores before Gabrielle was Gordon in 2012.
