The heavy seas forced the port of Madalena to be closed down, local authorities told Lusa News Agency.
The mayor of Madelena, José António Soares, said the waves had destroyed an exhibition of squid by Malcolm Clarke and the ground floor of the prize-winning Cella Bar.
The weather agency had warned of waves up to about five or six metres, but was caught unawares as the highest hit a whopping 13 metres.