Severe floods hit Gran Canaria after heavy rain

Heavy rains triggered severe flooding in eastern Gran Canaria, sweeping cars away and blanketing streets in mud. The sudden storm hit the Telde region, turning roads into raging rivers and sending vehicles crashing into ravines or washing them out to sea. Residents and emergency services worked together to clear debris as authorities urged people to stay indoors. Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, initially issued a yellow alert, later upgrading it to red, warning of continued heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms across the Canary Islands.  

Dramatic footage captured rescues, including a woman pulled from a submerged car and vehicles being swept away by torrents of brown water. Some cars lay vertically stuck, while others were dragged into the sea. Bollards, bins, and other debris were carried through the streets by the floodwaters. In the Las Bachilleres ravine, numerous vehicles were washed away. Cleanup operations began in the heavily affected Salinetas neighborhood, where firefighters and volunteers used shovels and brushes to remove thick mud from streets and homes.  

The Canary Islands were placed on pre-alert over the weekend as torrential rains battered the archipelago. Meanwhile, Valencia also faced a red alert, leading to school closures and warnings for residents to seek higher ground. At least 80 people were trapped inside a supermarket in Tenerife as water levels rose. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Gran Canaria and southeastern Tenerife, with conditions expected to improve.  

Last year’s flash floods in Valencia killed over 200 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and led to mass protests against regional authorities. The emergency response to the current flooding includes Spain’s military emergency unit, local responders, and more than 30,000 volunteers mobilized to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. Hundreds of families have lost their homes, and thousands have seen their vehicles destroyed as the cleanup continues.