The president of the Intermunicipal Community (CIM) of the Leiria Region, Jorge Vala, considered "manifestly insufficient" the maximum support of 60% to municipalities for damages caused by the storms at the beginning of the year, through the Municipal Emergency Fund. Jorge Vala added that there is an expectation that there may be a proposal in the Assembly of the Republic to reinforce the FEM to 85% or 100%, as has happened in other situations.
On July 31, the order was published in the Official Gazette allowing the municipalities covered by the calamity to apply for a maximum support of 60% of the proven damages to recover damaged infrastructure. Applications can be submitted until November 30 to the competent Regional Coordination and Development Commission.
Jorge Vala warned that investments in civil protection are excluded, noting that the mayor of Leiria expressed concern because he has already invested over nine million euros in removing trash and tree debris, which apparently is not covered by the support. The mayor admitted to making an appeal to the minister of Environment so that the removal of waste and woody material can receive support from the Environmental Fund.
At least 19 people died in Portugal, six of whom in the municipality of Leiria, between the end of January and the beginning of March, as a result of the Kristin, Leonardo and Marta depressions. The storms caused damages exceeding five billion euros and mainly affected the Centro, Lisboa and Vale do Tejo and Alentejo regions.
