Storm Charles: schools and council services close in Madeira on Wednesday
Madeira GuideClasses stop until 13:00 on Wednesday under a red alert for heavy rain and wind, and Funchal and Porto Santo shut their municipal offices.
The Regional Government of Madeira has closed schools on the morning of Wednesday 11 November until 13:00. IPMA issued a red warning for rain and wind for Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday, as Depression Charles reaches the islands.
Non-essential public services may work remotely on Wednesday morning. The Regional Government told people to avoid leaving home except in situations of extreme need, especially when the rain and wind are at their heaviest.
Funchal City Council closed its municipal services from 16:00 on Tuesday 10 November until 13:00 on Wednesday, citing the red and orange warnings. Essential services stay open, as do those needed to support the population.
On Porto Santo, the municipal council has closed its services for the whole of Wednesday, according to DN Madeira. It called a meeting at 17:00 with the civil protection and emergency bodies to prepare for possible emergencies. It asked residents to stay at home, keep away from the coast and other exposed areas, secure objects the wind could carry away, avoid outdoor activities and follow official warnings.
Update — 2026-11-10
Funchal City Council has also closed its cultural venues from 16:00 on 10 November until 13:00 on 11 November: the Municipal Library, the Henrique and Francisco Franco Museum, the A Cidade do Açúcar museum, the Estação do Monte, the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre, the Estúdio de Criação Artística, the IMPULSO gallery and the Capela da Boa Viagem. The screening of the short film Tomé at the theatre moves to March 2027; tickets stay valid, and refunds can be requested from servicosadministrativos.cultura@funchal.pt. The University of Madeira is closed from 14:00 on Tuesday until 13:00 on Wednesday.
Update — 2026-11-10
The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture has closed the museums and cultural spaces run by the Regional Government, and the region's tourist information offices, on the morning of 11 November. They are due to reopen at 14:00. The tourist offices close at 18:00 on Tuesday, and the Arquivo e Biblioteca da Madeira closes at 18:30 on Tuesday and reopens at 14:00 on Wednesday.
Sources
Madeira Guide
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