Alerts activated by emergencies in the Canary Islands
This Wednesday, the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has decreed four alerts on the islands: for heat, wind, risk of forest fires and risk of coastal flooding. Despite these warnings, strong waves have hit the coastal areas of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, keeping residents on alert.
Floods and evacuations
The strong waves have caused flooding in several locations, causing the evacuation of approximately 40 people in Tenerife. Areas such as El Rosario, Candelaria, Arafo and Güímar were affected, with part of the industrial estate of Güímar and El Socorro feeling the impact of the waves. In Candelaria, the coastal roads were flooded, even affecting the plaza of the Basilica of the Virgin of Candelaria. On the other hand, in Gran Canaria, the neighborhood of San Cristóbal and the capital also suffered damage to garages and ground floors of homes.
Damage and precautions
The impact of the waves has also been felt in other towns such as Arico, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The Puerto del Rosario City Council has closed beaches and coasts, asking residents to avoid traveling through these areas. The Canarian Government has emphasized the importance of avoiding being on docks and breakwaters, as well as taking precautions when driving on roads near the coast.
Rescues and infrastructure problems
In La Palma, firefighters had to intervene to rescue a person trapped by stones deposited by the tide. Furthermore, in Fuerteventura, the Gran Tarajal desalination plant was forced to stop production due to the impact of waves on water collection in the open sea.
