Quick summary

Storm Therese has dumped unprecedented rain across the Canary Islands, prompting a state of emergency, widespread evacuations and the deployment of the Military Emergency Unit. Local officials describe the event as historic in scale and warn that the situation is life threatening in some areas.

Where and why people were moved

Authorities ordered full neighbourhoods to evacuate, including Los Perez and El Hornillo in Agaete, amid fears that a nearby reservoir could fail. Emergency teams and the military are helping residents to safety and managing road closures.

Official reactions

"We are facing historic circumstances in terms of the volume of rainfall and its impact on the island territory," said Antonio Morales, president of the island council. Federico Grillo, the technical director of emergency services, said that "no one anywhere on the planet could have foreseen something like this." Rosa Dávila, another local leader, noted that the phenomenon has not been seen in more than 13 years.

Key figures and impacts

  • Over 700 litres of rain per square metre fell across six days in parts of the islands.
  • Gran Canaria reservoirs received more than 14 million cubic metres of water.
  • Winds of up to 100 kph have been forecast, and 73 mph gusts were reported on Monday night.
  • Emergency services recorded about 300 incidents on Gran Canaria in one day and roughly 1,500 across the seven islands.
  • Weather alerts vary by island: La Gomera, El Hierro and Tenerife had yellow alerts, while La Palma was placed under an orange rainfall alert.

Damage and rescues

There have been reports of a hotel roof collapsing and multiple road collapses. An elderly man stranded in a hard to reach area in Barranco Hando was rescued and treated for distress. Footage circulating online showed tourists needing help from a minibus roof, and officials have urged holidaymakers to stay inside their hotels.

Transport and services

Dozens of flights were cancelled or diverted. Flights out of several major UK airports were rerouted after strong winds affected the region. Universities in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and La Laguna canceled classes through Tuesday and Wednesday. The islands had already been hit by snow and strong winds the previous week, adding strain to local services.

What residents and visitors should know

  • A rare red alert warning was sent to mobile phones warning that conditions could threaten life.
  • Emergency personnel remain on the ground and the military is assisting with evacuations and infrastructure support.
  • People in affected areas should follow local authority instructions and avoid travel unless it is essential.

This is an evolving situation. Local officials are continuing rescue and assessment operations as they cope with the fallout from heavy rain, strong winds and flooding.