In brief
On Saturday, Lanzarote, a renowned holiday spot in the Canary Islands, faced severe flooding after a heavy downpour led to the declaration of a state of emergency. The rain, which measured 6cm (2.4 inches) within just two hours, caused extensive disruption but no injuries were reported. By Sunday morning, authorities had lifted the emergency status, although the aftermath left many homes filled with mud. Rescue teams responded to over 300 calls during the night, with the hardest-hit areas including Arrecife and Teguise. Dramatic videos of flooding circulated on social media, highlighting the rapid flow of water overwhelming infrastructure. The Canaries, with their volcanic rock and limited absorption capacity, are particularly susceptible to flooding from intense rains. This deluge followed Storm Olivier, which has triggered weather alerts across Spain, affecting multiple regions with continued rain and storm warnings.
