The Canary Islands, a beloved holiday destination for millions, have been thrown into turmoil as Storm Claudia barrels across the Atlantic, bringing with it a barrage of violent weather and tragic consequences. Over the past week, the archipelago has faced a relentless onslaught of storms, culminating in the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) escalating advisories to orange and amber levels for key islands. The storm’s arrival has not only threatened infrastructure and daily life but has also resulted in a tragic loss of life and a widespread emergency response.
Storm Claudia, currently a deep Atlantic low-pressure system stationed northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, is forecast to remain stationary for the coming days. According to AEMET’s latest bulletins, its frontal systems began reaching the Canary Islands on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, with the most severe impacts expected through Thursday. The agency warned that the western isles and southern Gran Canaria would bear the brunt, facing very heavy, persistent rain, violent thunderstorms, and wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h. Rainfall could surpass 100 litres per square meter in just twelve hours on La Palma and other western islands, a level that raises the specter of flash floods and local inundations.
Authorities wasted no time in responding to the threat. Emergency services declared a full alert across the archipelago and activated the Adverse Weather Emergency Plan (PEMA), urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant and closely follow official instructions. The warnings are especially dire for high-risk areas such as El Paso and Garafía on La Palma, as well as the southern slopes of Gran Canaria, where the risk of flooding and road disruption is considered highest. As the storm approached, the forecast included not only torrential downpours but also violent winds strong enough to bring down branches, trees, and precarious structures. Coastal disturbances and storm surges were anticipated along exposed shores, threatening ports, beach promenades, and the safety of anyone near the water’s edge.
"The weather will deteriorate rapidly from Wednesday," AEMET emphasized, highlighting that the first waves of Claudia’s frontal systems would strike La Palma and the rest of the western islands. Showers and thunderstorms were expected to intensify on southwest-facing slopes and in mountainous areas, while wind gusts could reach levels capable of causing significant damage. By Thursday, the front was expected to sweep eastward, bringing widespread instability to the entire archipelago before conditions gradually eased by evening as winds shifted and moderated.
Yet even before Claudia’s arrival, the islands had already suffered a devastating tragedy. Over the weekend of November 8-9, 2025, a series of powerful tidal surges and rough seas battered Tenerife’s coastline, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring at least fifteen others. According to BBC News and The Olive Press, the incidents unfolded despite repeated warnings from emergency services urging the public to avoid coastal areas. In one horrifying episode captured on video and widely circulated on social media, a crowd of tourists was swept into the Atlantic Ocean by a massive wave at a pier in Puerto de la Cruz, a popular resort on Tenerife’s northern coast. Three holidaymakers were seriously injured after being pushed off the pier, and a 79-year-old Dutch woman tragically died after suffering a fatal heart attack following her rescue.
Emergency services worked tirelessly throughout the day as rough seas continued to pound the shoreline. In La Guancha, less than 10 kilometers west of Puerto de la Cruz, a man who fell into the water was airlifted to safety but later died in hospital. Another man was found dead off a beach in El Medano, near the island’s busy southern airport. At Roque de las Bodegas beach on the north-eastern coast, at least five French tourists were injured after being dragged into the sea by powerful waves. The incidents, which left the region reeling, underscored the dangers of ignoring safety warnings during severe weather events.
The government’s response was swift and resolute. On September 7, the Canary Islands government had already declared a state of pre-alert for the archipelago—a status that remains in force as conditions continue to deteriorate. The public has been repeatedly urged to follow safety guidance, which includes avoiding driving on roads near the shoreline, steering clear of swimming on red-flagged beaches, and staying away from the ends of piers or breakwaters. Videos shared on TikTok and other platforms show the dramatic impact of the waves, with huge surges crashing along Tenerife’s coastline and inundating promenades.
As Storm Claudia’s main front advanced, AEMET issued a new round of weather warnings. On November 11, 2025, amber alerts for storms, rain, and wind were in force for the Canary Islands, with specific warnings for La Palma and southern Tenerife on November 12. Up to 100 mm of precipitation in just twelve hours was expected in southern Tenerife, and yellow warnings for rain were issued for El Hierro, La Gomera, and North Tenerife. Storm and wind alerts, including gusts up to 80 km/h, were in place for La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, and Tenerife, while coastal warnings predicted force seven winds (50-60 km/h) for the northern coastlines of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, extending to most islands by Thursday, November 13.
Gran Canaria’s southern areas were placed under orange alert from midnight on November 13 until noon that day, with authorities warning of particularly severe rainfall and storms. The risk of flash floods in ravines, local flooding, and road disruptions was considered high, especially on western and southern slopes and in low-lying areas. The forecast also included the possibility of coastal disturbances and storm surges, threatening ports and beach promenades. The warnings extended to Lanzarote and other islands, with damaging winds and sudden deluges expected, particularly around ravines and exposed beaches.
Despite the dire forecasts, AEMET noted that weather conditions were expected to improve by Friday, though cautioned that the situation remained fluid and forecasts could change as the storm evolved. Residents and visitors alike were advised to remain vigilant, heed all official instructions, and prepare for potentially hazardous weather through Thursday.
The recent tragedies and the ongoing threat of Storm Claudia have cast a long shadow over the Canary Islands, a region known for its sunny skies and tranquil beaches. The events serve as a stark reminder of nature’s power and the importance of respecting safety warnings, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. For now, the islands remain on high alert, bracing for the storm’s full impact and hoping that the worst is soon behind them.
