Over 3,000 people have been evacuated in Gran Canaria as Storm Therese continues to batter the Canary Islands, causing severe flooding and landslides. The storm, one of the worst to hit the region in decades, has cut off entire communities and forced residents into makeshift shelters.
The British community, numbering over 40,000 in the Canary Islands, has been affected, with Gran Canaria a popular destination for tourists ahead of the Easter holidays. Damage has been extensive, with a family in the remote El Cadeiro area cut off and requiring a drone delivery of vital medicine from local police.
In Arucas, authorities have urged extreme caution due to rising water levels, while military personnel have been deployed to assist with the response. Schools in Arucas and Firgas have closed, and the Fataga reservoir in the south is dangerously close to overflowing, raising fears of flash flooding.
Across the islands, flights have been diverted due to strong winds, including services from London, Newcastle, and Manchester. In Tenerife, winds reached 73mph, causing power outages and damage to street lighting. Large waves have hit coastal areas, and around 80 people are housed in emergency shelters.
Weather warnings remain in place, with orange alerts for significant danger due to accumulated rainfall across Gran Canaria and La Palma. The storm is expected to ease from Wednesday.
