“I have signed an order determining that, due to the approach of Hurricane Gabrielle, from 6:00 p.m. on September 25th until 6:00 p.m. on September 26th, all public services and agencies located on the islands of the Western and Central groups will be closed,” said the leader of the regional executive, José Manuel Bolieiro.

The Central group includes the islands of Terceira, Graciosa, Pico, Faial, and São Jorge, while Flores and Corvo make up the Western group.

The islands in the Western and Central groups of the Azores will be under a red warning due to heavy rainfall, rough seas, and wind, effective Thursday night, due to the approaching cyclone, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

In a press conference scheduled for the approaching storm, the president of the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) confirmed that public services will remain open in the Eastern group (São Miguel and Santa Maria).

The closure of public services on the other seven Azorean islands covers schools at all levels, but does not include "services considered urgent and essential," such as hospitals, health centers, or Civil Protection services.

Warning

"To all residents and visitors, and to all islands: it is recommended that everyone take the best possible self-protection measures. While it is unfortunately not possible to avoid the hurricane, it is possible to reduce everyone's exposure to risk," he emphasized, speaking at the Palácio da Conceição in Ponta Delgada.

Bolieiro urged the public to pay attention to official communications, take precautionary measures, and follow Civil Protection guidelines, adding that daily press conferences will be held to monitor the situation.

"Avoid traveling and staying near the coast, as the rough seas are very dangerous. Restrict pedestrian and road traffic during the critical period and limit movement to what is strictly necessary," he emphasized.

As meteorologist Rita Mota, from the Azores delegation of the IPMA, told Lusa, "Cyclone Gabrielle is currently classified as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale" (a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most severe).

In the Western group, forecasts indicate heavy rainfall, winds with gusts of up to 150 kilometers per hour from the south turning north, and rough seas with waves between eight and ten meters high, with a maximum wave height of 14 to 18 meters.

In the Central group, there may be occasional heavy rainfall, winds with gusts of up to 200 kilometers from the south turning northwest, and rough seas with waves between eight and ten meters high, with a maximum wave height of 14 to 18 meters.