Hurricane Lorenzo

Intervention by the Rapid Response Hydrographic Team (EHIR)

October 2019 – Flores Island, Azores

Following Hurricane Lorenzo on 2 October 2019, the island of Flores suffered significant damage, including the partial destruction of the port of Lajes, which severely affected supplies to the island and Corvo.

The Hydrographic Rapid Intervention Team (EHIR) of the Hydrographic Institute was deployed to the Azores archipelago on 4 October, landing on the island of Flores aboard a Portuguese Air Force C-130, carrying around two tonnes of hydrographic equipment.

Upon arrival, the team encountered extremely adverse conditions: large amounts of debris and wreckage both on the surface and submerged, severely damaged port infrastructure and scarce local logistical support. Despite these limitations, EHIR immediately began operations, establishing a local network to ensure the positioning of the surveying equipment, guaranteeing the operability of the systems and adapting its procedures to the circumstances on the ground.

On the day of arrival, in the late afternoon, the team carried out a bathymetric survey (single beam echo sounder) and side scan sonar survey of the entire port of Lajes das Flores, providing a complete characterisation of the depths and identifying obstacles (e.g. submerged containers). This information was crucial in supporting the removal of debris and planning the installation of a temporary pier, ensuring the restoration of food and fuel supplies to the population via local traffic vessels.