Lanzarote Faces Devastating Floods After Record Rainfall

A significant rainfall event on the Canary Island of Lanzarote resulted in widespread flooding, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency.

Lanzarote experienced intense rainfall over the weekend, with 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) falling within just two hours, severely impacting the landscape. The local government quickly responded, declaring a state of emergency as hundreds of homes were inundated, resulting in a surge of emergency calls to rescue services. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as of now, and conditions began to stabilize on Sunday morning.

Enrique Espinosa, head of Lanzarote's emergency services, indicated that local teams had worked tirelessly throughout the night, responding to approximately 300 calls. The hardest-hit areas included Arrecife and Teguise, where emergency crews dealt with more than 150 incidents. San Bartolomé also faced significant challenges as floodwaters left a trail of mud and debris.

Videos shared across various social media platforms depicted dramatic scenes of floodwaters rushing under bridges and trapping vehicles on submerged roads. The unique geology of the Canary Islands, characterized by its volcanic rock and dry climate, exacerbates flood conditions because the ground struggles to absorb significant amounts of rainfall.

This deluge is attributed to the remnants of Storm Olivier, which impacted not only the Canaries but also mainland Spain and Portugal, triggering widespread weather alerts. Spain's meteorological service has extended warnings for multiple regions, anticipating additional storms and rainfall in the upcoming days. As recovery efforts begin, the focus remains on restoring normalcy for affected residents while monitoring ongoing weather patterns.