Torrential Downpour Causes Extensive Flooding in Lanzarote

Severe flooding struck Lanzarote this weekend following an intense downpour that overwhelmed the holiday island's infrastructure, leading to significant disruptions and emergency responses.

Hundreds of homes and roads in Lanzarote have been submerged following a torrential downpour that occurred on Saturday, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency by local authorities. The downpour, which saw 6cm (2.4 inches) of rain fall in just two hours, particularly impacted areas such as Arrecife and Teguise.

As the heavy rain subsided by Sunday morning, authorities reported no fatalities or serious injuries. However, Enrique Espinosa, head of Lanzarote's emergency services, stated that emergency teams responded to approximately 300 calls throughout the night, with over 150 incidents reported in Costa Teguise alone.

Footage shared on social media captured dramatic scenes of flooding, including a violent torrent of water rushing under a bridge, stranding vehicles on submerged roadways. The San Bartolomé region was notably affected by the floods, leaving behind considerable mud and debris.

The islands of the Canary archipelago are particularly susceptible to flooding under such intense rainfall conditions, attributed to their dry climate and volcanic terrain that hampers water absorption. This recent storm was influenced by Storm Olivier, which had earlier impacted Spain's mainland and parts of Portugal, triggering multiple weather warnings across the region.

In the coming days, Spain's meteorological service has issued further alerts for heavy winds, storms, and rain across various regions, including the Balearic Islands and northern areas of the mainland.