Severe Weather Crisis: Lanzarote Faces Landmark Flooding Disasters

Lanzarote experiences unprecedented flooding following a severe storm, prompting emergency responses and raising concerns about climate vulnerabilities.

In a shocking turn of events, Lanzarote, one of the scenic Canary Islands, has been severely impacted by torrential rains, resulting in extensive flooding across many neighborhoods. The local government declared a state of emergency late Saturday after an astounding 6cm (2.4 inches) of rain fell within just two hours, flooding hundreds of homes and roadways.

As of Sunday morning, though the state of emergency was lifted, the aftermath includes significant damage, with emergency services reporting a high volume of calls and various incidents, particularly in the areas of Arrecife and Teguise. Local emergency services chief, Enrique Espinosa, revealed they responded to 300 emergency situations overnight, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Footage circulating on social media captures the chaos, with torrents of floodwater violently sweeping through urban areas and leaving cars stranded in its wake. Reports indicate that the San Bartolomé region particularly suffered from the flooding.

These sudden floods underscore the vulnerability of the Canary Islands to extreme weather events, particularly given their dry climate and geological composition that hampers water absorption. This rainfall event is believed to have been exacerbated by Storm Olivier, which has impacted not only the Canaries but also mainland Spain and Portugal, triggering multiple weather warnings across the region from meteorological authorities. Flooding incidents have also been reported in Gran Canaria, intensifying concerns over future storm events.