"Considering the current situation, it's always important to remember the self-protection measures that the population can, and should, adopt under these circumstances," said Rui Andrade in a statement.

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Hurricane Gabrielle could pass through the Azores as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, causing worsening weather conditions starting late Thursday.

The IPMA (National Institute of Marine Protection) has issued weather warnings for all the Azores islands, with the Western Group (Flores and Corvo) on red alert (the highest level) starting Thursday due to precipitation, wind, and rough seas, and the Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial) on red alert due to wind and rough seas.

"This means we will have gusts of 150 km/h, with maximum speeds possibly exceeding that," warned the president of the Azores Civil Protection Agency.

Given this scenario, Rui Andrade recommended that the population check the vicinity of their homes for loose objects and store them or secure them securely, as well as ensure that "drainage infrastructure, particularly on roofs, terraces, patios, and balconies, is clear."

He also urged the population to avoid "staying and moving around forested areas" and "moving and staying near the shore."

People should also "restrict pedestrian and road circulation during the critical period" and "limit movement to what is strictly necessary."

Finally, the president of the Azores Civil Protection Department urged the public to follow the information provided by official bodies.

"An informed population is a prepared population. Paying attention to the information provided by official bodies is the only thing that matters and is important," he emphasized.

On the islands of the Western group, a red warning for heavy rainfall is in effect between 9:00 PM on Thursday (10:00 PM Lisbon time) and 6:00 AM on Friday.

The IPMA (National Institute of Marine and Marine Sciences) also issued a red warning for rough seas between midnight and 9:00 AM on Friday, with waves from the southwest, turning north, and maximum waves reaching 14 to 18 meters.

The red warning for winds for these two islands is in effect from midnight to 6:00 AM on Friday, blowing from the east to the east, turning north.

For the islands of the Central group, a red wind warning is in effect from midnight to 9:00 am on Friday, with a southerly direction turning northwest.

The IPMA (National Institute of Marine and Marine Sciences) also issued a red wind warning for the same group, valid from 3:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, regarding rough seas, with waves from the southwest, turning northwest, and potential maximum waves of 14 to 18 meters.