Lanzarote Grapples with Devastating Floods After Torrential Rainfall

Devastating images and videos have emerged from the Spanish island of Lanzarote, showcasing the aftermath of torrential rainfall. The hardest-hit areas experienced approximately 60 liters of rain per square meter within a two-hour period on Saturday. This amount surpasses the average monthly rainfall in the UK, according to reports. The extreme weather prompted a state of emergency declaration, with footage depicting streets transformed into rivers of murky brown floodwater.

Social media has been flooded with visuals of abandoned vehicles, some partially or fully submerged, along with flooded buildings and large trash bins swept away by the powerful currents. One observer captured the rapid flow of floodwater as it surged under a bridge and into the ocean.

The municipalities of Arrecife, Teguise, and San Bartolome were among the worst affected. Emergency services responded to around 150 weather-related incidents between 2 pm and 4 pm. The head of emergency services for the Lanzarote government confirmed that crews worked throughout the night and into Sunday to address the situation. Enrique Espinosa reported that they had handled 300 calls overnight, with numerous incidents in Arrecife and Teguise, including flooded homes and significant mud accumulation.

Authorities have confirmed no casualties but are urging continued vigilance as the cleanup efforts proceed. Residents in Arrecife, the island's capital, faced the added challenge of raw sewage odors due to the flooding's impact on the drainage system. The Lagomar River, flowing through Nazaret, overflowed its banks. On Saturday, officials had advised the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel.

The Canary Islands government lifted the state of emergency on Sunday morning. Lanzarote, a popular tourist destination, particularly for British visitors, offers year-round warm weather and various recreational activities. One British tourist described the experience as "Armageddon" while navigating the floods to reach his hotel in Costa Teguise. The heavy rainfall and flooding followed the impact of Storm Oliver earlier in the week, which led to the cancellation of numerous flights to and from Lanzarote's airport due to hazardous flying conditions.