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Lanzarote Resorts Inundated by Severe Storm and Flooding
Holiday destinations and roads in Lanzarote have been overwhelmed by floodwater after a significant storm struck the popular Canary Island. Dramatic scenes captured by tourists across the island reveal muddy torrents surging through streets, rendering vehicles and buildings inaccessible. The intense weather event resulted in power outages at some hotels and disruptions to island-wide services following the torrential rainfall. One British tourist described the conditions as feeling like ‘Armageddon’.
Island Residents and Tourists Navigate Floodwaters
Residents and visitors were compelled to navigate the streets, which transformed into fast-flowing rivers, while others sought refuge on balconies and higher ground. Chain barriers were erected at the entrance of the Hotel Beatriz Costa and Spa in Teguise, Las Palmas, to prevent individuals from venturing into the contaminated floodwaters.
Hotel Swimming Pool Overflowed Amidst Heavy Rainfall
Video footage taken by a guest at the four-star hotel shows ominous grey skies above the mountains as heavy rain poured onto poolside furniture. The hotel’s swimming pool completely overflowed, with the drainage system struggling to manage the surplus water.
State of Emergency Declared Due to Lanzarote Floods
The torrential rain prompted local authorities to declare a state of emergency, which remained in effect until 7 am local time on Sunday. Holidaymakers have been advised to anticipate continued rainfall, isolated storms, and potential snowfall across higher mountain areas in the coming days.
Impact of Lanzarote Storm: Water Volume and Tourist Accounts
In certain areas, approximately 60 litres of water per square metre fell during the two-hour storm on Saturday afternoon. Mike Hallet, 53, a British tourist in Lanzarote, recounted to Metro: ‘The motorways were flooded, water was cascading off embankments like waterfalls. It was intense. I’ve never witnessed rainfall like it. It’s remarkable no one was harmed. It felt like Armageddon.’
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Arrecife and Other Towns Severely Affected by Flooding
The city of Arrecife, situated in the south of the island, was particularly hard-hit by the extreme weather. Residents encountered the foul smell of untreated sewage resulting from the flooding which overwhelmed the drainage infrastructure. Towns including Tahiche, Costa Teguise, Guatiza, and Nazaret also experienced significant impacts.
Emergency Services Respond to Hundreds of Incidents
Emergency services responded to 152 incidents in Costa Teguise on Saturday evening and an additional 70 in Arrecife, according to local news reports.
Travel Advice and Weather Warnings for Lanzarote
The Foreign Office issued urgent guidance stating: ‘Services across the island are affected, and some hotels are currently without power. Certain roads are presently impacted by mud. If you are in or travelling to Lanzarote, adhere to the guidance of local authorities and monitor local weather updates.’
Further Weather Disruptions Forecast for Spain
Spain’s meteorological agency issued weather advisories for numerous regions of the country from Sunday to Tuesday, encompassing storms in the northeast, rain in the Balearic Islands, and wind along parts of both the north and south coasts.
Temperature Drop and Snowfall Expected
Temperatures are predicted to decrease across most areas, according to AEMET, excluding the Cantabrian coast. From Tuesday to Wednesday, a surge of cold air is expected to move across Spain, causing temperatures to plummet and potentially bringing snow to higher elevations.
Snowfall and Continued Rain Across Spain
Snowfall may reach areas as low as 900 metres above sea level, particularly in mountainous regions, while rain and thunderstorms are expected to persist across much of the country.
Flight Diversions and Rescue Efforts Amidst Lanzarote Floods
Local Canary Islands media sources reported that two flights from Manchester, two from Gatwick, two from Bristol, and others from Cardiff, Stansted, Birmingham, Bournemouth, and Dublin were diverted to Fuerteventura due to reduced visibility preceding the weekend. Video footage on social media showed employees from a local excursion centre attempting to salvage their equipment from the disastrous flooding, while tourists walked through the polluted water in flip-flops.
Community Cleanup Underway in Lanzarote
Lanzarote has initiated a large-scale cleanup operation with residents and resort staff collaborating to drain floodwaters and remove mud. However, some areas of the island remained completely dry.
Ongoing Precautions Advised for Locals and Tourists
Despite the cleanup efforts, officials urged both residents and tourists to take precautions and avoid unnecessary travel.
Previous Extreme Weather in Spanish Holiday Hotspots
This event follows weeks after the Spanish holiday destination of Malaga experienced an unusual winter storm that blanketed parts of the region in hail and snow. Dramatic images and videos depicted streets submerged in floodwater and heavy hail falling from grey skies. Significant hailstorms impacted cars and left roads covered in white icy hailstones in Alhaurín el Grande. Large hail also fell in areas including Campanillas, Puerto de la Torre, and Teatinos after Spain’s national weather agency Aemet extended a yellow alert for heavy rain and hail. Torcal de Antequera, a popular tourist attraction, also witnessed heavy snowfall, creating spectacular scenes.