Tenerife and the Canary Islands have been thrown into disarray following the onslaught of a powerful storm dubbed the “storm of the century,” bringing intense winds and heavy rainfall. Storm Therese has prompted residents and visitors on the Spanish archipelago to seek refuge as 70mph winds and relentless rain have battered the region for five consecutive days. In response, makeshift shelters have been hastily established to accommodate the thousands seeking safety from the extreme weather that has caused significant erosion and transformed streets into waterways.
Tragically, a man was discovered dead on a tourist island amidst the severe weather conditions. The body was found by two tourists in a remote area of Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, on Wednesday. The tumultuous weather conditions, featuring rain, hail, and even snow in elevated areas, have resulted in striking images capturing the chaos brought by Therese.
The aftermath of the storm has left a trail of destruction, with homes destroyed, landslides triggered by rain and wind, and popular tourist areas submerged in water. Tourists, including Brits, found themselves stranded in Tenerife, with some trapped in a minibus in Puerto de la Cruz, while other locations like San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Santa Lucía, Mogán, and Telde in Gran Canaria were severely affected by the heavy rainfall.
In a dramatic rescue operation, holidaymakers trapped in the minibus resorted to exiting through the sunroof as floodwaters rose, with firefighters eventually rescuing them using a ladder lowered from a bridge. The incident occurred around 9 pm on Monday, coinciding with an emergency weather warning issued to residents in the area regarding the escalating flooding risk.
Fortunately, all passengers on the bus, as well as other individuals rescued by emergency services, emerged safely from the harrowing ordeal. The impact of the storm has necessitated authorities to pump out water from flooded streets and highways, with evacuation centers established to provide refuge for those most affected by the flooding.
The severe weather conditions have inflicted substantial damage on high-altitude regions, with rivers transformed into cascades and coastal areas bearing the brunt of the storm’s fury. Homes have been inundated, and streets destroyed, leaving a trail of devastation in the wake of the extreme weather event.
