Emergency services respond to hundreds of calls, with significant flooding reported around popular tourist areas.
Lanzarote Faces Severe Flooding After Intense Rainfall
Lanzarote Faces Severe Flooding After Intense Rainfall
Emergency declared as torrential rain inundates homes and streets.
The picturesque island of Lanzarote has been severely affected by flash flooding following an intense downpour over the weekend. Local government officials declared a state of emergency as a staggering 6 cm (2.4 inches) of rain fell in just two hours on Saturday. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported to date, and the emergency status was revoked Sunday morning.
Enrique Espinosa, head of Lanzarote's emergency services, informed local media that floodwaters submerged numerous homes, leaving an immense amount of mud in their wake. Emergency responders tackled about 300 calls throughout the night, with particular concentrations in the towns of Arrecife and Teguise.
Severe impacts have been noted in the area of San Bartolomé, according to the local government. Dramatic videos circulating online depict torrents of water rushing under bridges, and cars stranded on inundated roadways. The Canary Islands are notably susceptible to floods due to their arid climate and volcanic rock composition, resulting in limited absorption of heavy rainfall.
The deluge resulted from Storm Olivier, which has affected various areas across the Canaries, mainland Spain, and Portugal in recent days, leading to multiple weather alerts. Spain's meteorological agency has warned of continued adverse weather, with predictions of storms, rain, and high winds across the country from Sunday through Tuesday.
Enrique Espinosa, head of Lanzarote's emergency services, informed local media that floodwaters submerged numerous homes, leaving an immense amount of mud in their wake. Emergency responders tackled about 300 calls throughout the night, with particular concentrations in the towns of Arrecife and Teguise.
Severe impacts have been noted in the area of San Bartolomé, according to the local government. Dramatic videos circulating online depict torrents of water rushing under bridges, and cars stranded on inundated roadways. The Canary Islands are notably susceptible to floods due to their arid climate and volcanic rock composition, resulting in limited absorption of heavy rainfall.
The deluge resulted from Storm Olivier, which has affected various areas across the Canaries, mainland Spain, and Portugal in recent days, leading to multiple weather alerts. Spain's meteorological agency has warned of continued adverse weather, with predictions of storms, rain, and high winds across the country from Sunday through Tuesday.
