In brief
A state of emergency has been declared in Lanzarote following extreme rainfall that led to significant flooding and property damage, though the situation has improved since.
Hundreds of homes and roads across Lanzarote have experienced severe flooding due to relentless torrential rain that inundated the popular holiday destination on Saturday. In a swift response to the crisis, the local government declared a state of emergency after an impressive 6 cm (2.4 inches) of rain fell within just two hours, causing widespread chaos.Although no injuries have been reported, the gravity of the situation became apparent to the island's emergency services, who responded to over 300 emergency calls throughout the night. Enrique Espinosa, the head of emergency services, informed local media about the extensive damage, stating, "Some homes have been submerged, leaving behind a large quantity of mud."Local reports indicate that Costa Teguise and Arrecife faced major impacts, with firsthand accounts from emergency responders detailing their work during this tumultuous period. San Bartolomé was notably one of the worst-hit areas.Dramatic footage shared widely on social media showcases the sheer force of the floodwaters as they rushed beneath bridges, submerging vehicles on the roadways. The Canary Islands frequently face flood risks when subjected to intense rainfall due to their arid climate and volcanic rock terrain, which hampers effective water absorption.The torrential rain followed Storm Olivier, which had recently traversed the Canaries, mainland Spain, and Portugal, prompting multiple weather alerts. In light of the ongoing weather conditions, Spain's meteorological service has issued warnings for various regions from Sunday to Tuesday, including the potential for storms in the northeast, rain in the Balearic Islands, and windy conditions along both coastal areas of the north and south.
