Unprecedented rains overwhelm Lanzarote, emergency declared
Torrential rain has struck the Canary Islands, prompting the authorities to declare a state of emergency. The most affected areas are the municipalities of Arrecife, Teguise, and San Bartolome on Lanzarote. Residents are taken aback by the scale of the phenomenon.
Torrential rain has paralysed Lanzarote, one of the islands in the Canary Islands archipelago. Local authorities have declared a state of emergency, and residents emphasise that they have never witnessed such intense rainfall before. In some areas, more than 70 litres of water per square metre fell in just two hours.
Storm Olivier hits Lanzarote
Storm Olivier brought unexpected rainfall intensity, surprising residents and tourists alike. Lanzarote, renowned for its fine weather, has been transformed into a scene of chaos. Footage of flooded streets and immobilised vehicles has been circulated by Spanish media, highlighting the extent of the destruction.
The biggest problems were recorded in the municipalities of Arrecife, Teguise, and San Bartolome, where firefighters were called out over 300 times within a single day. Power outages further complicated the situation. Residents report they have never experienced such intense rainfall before.
A resident of Costa Teguise, quoted by the portal Canarias7, stated: "I've never seen anything like this."
Meteorological services had warned of the intense rainfall brought by Storm Olivier.
Flooding in Lanzarote
Social media is awash with photos and videos showing the effects of Storm Olivier. Streets have been turned into raging streams, and the drainage systems have been unable to cope with the sheer volume of water. Experts remind us that intense rainfall is not unfamiliar in Spain, but the scale of this event is causing increasing concern.
In recent months, Spain has frequently experienced torrential rain. The most tragic events took place at the end of October 2024, when flash floods in the eastern part of the country resulted in the deaths of over 220 people.
Infrastructure problems and recommendations for residents
Residents of Arrecife are grappling with sewage problems, as water has inundated the drainage system. Photos shared on social media depict flooded roads and car parks.
"Vast areas of land are submerged, with brown water flowing towards the coast," reports "The Sun".
Local security services have issued recommendations on how to respond in such threatening situations. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel. The authorities are striving to minimise the effects of the natural disaster, yet the situation remains challenging.
