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Severe flooding has impacted Lanzarote, part of the Canary Islands, where hundreds of residences and roads were inundated following exceptionally heavy rainfall on Saturday. The deluge caused widespread disruption and prompted emergency responses across the popular holiday destination.
State of Emergency Declared After Torrential Rainfall
The government of Lanzarote announced a state of emergency overnight after the island was struck by approximately 6cm (2.4 inches) of rain in a mere two-hour period. This downpour overwhelmed infrastructure and drainage systems, leading to significant flooding in several areas.
Spanish authorities have confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the extreme weather event. The state of emergency was rescinded on Sunday morning as conditions improved.
Homes Submerged, Emergency Services Respond
According to the head of Lanzarote’s emergency services, local news outlets reported that some properties were completely submerged by the floodwaters. The receding waters left behind substantial amounts of mud and debris, compounding the damage.
Enrique Espinosa, representing emergency services, stated on Sunday, “We have been operational throughout the night, responding to 300 calls, many of which originated in Arrecife and Teguise.”
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Local media sources indicate that emergency responders managed over 150 incidents in Costa Teguise and more than 70 in Arrecife, demonstrating the breadth of the impact.
San Bartolomé Area Severely Affected
Government officials on Lanzarote confirmed that the San Bartolomé region sustained particularly heavy damage from the intense rainfall and subsequent flooding.
Dramatic video footage shared across social media platforms depicted powerful surges of floodwater coursing under a bridge, leaving numerous vehicles stranded on roadways transformed into rivers.
Vulnerability of Canary Islands to Flash Floods
The Canary Islands’ geographical and climatic characteristics render them especially susceptible to flash floods during periods of intense precipitation. The arid climate and volcanic geology of the islands mean that the ground has a limited capacity to absorb large quantities of water rapidly.
Storm Olivier Preceded Heavy Rainfall
The recent episode of torrential rain followed closely after Storm Olivier passed over the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, and Portugal in preceding days. This earlier storm had already triggered several weather alerts across the region.
Continued Weather Warnings Across Spain
Spain’s national meteorological agency has issued ongoing weather advisories for numerous areas of the country from Sunday through Tuesday. These warnings include forecasts for storms in the northeast, rainfall in the Balearic Islands, and strong winds impacting sections of both the northern and southern coasts.