The Government of the Canary Islands has downgraded the maximum wind alert to a pre-alert status as of 10:00 PM on April 3, 2025, while maintaining the alert for coastal phenomena. This decision comes in the wake of Storm Nuria, which has wreaked havoc across the archipelago, leading to 290 reported incidents, including fallen trees, poles, and landslides.
Despite the downgrade, the authorities are urging residents and visitors to review their planned activities over the coming days to ensure safety. Wind gusts have been recorded at alarming speeds, exceeding 110 km/h on several islands and reaching as high as 150 km/h in Teide National Park. The storm's impact has been particularly severe in areas such as Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Palma, where numerous roads remain closed.
In Gran Canaria, municipalities such as Firgas, Gáldar, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have reported significant damage. In Tenerife, towns including La Laguna, Icod de los Vinos, and La Orotava have experienced road closures and power outages. La Palma's airport remains inoperable due to the storm's effects.
On April 3, two individuals sustained injuries from debris propelled by the wind. One person in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, was struck in the leg by a flying sheet of metal, while another in Agaete, Gran Canaria, suffered minor injuries when a bus stop window shattered. Thankfully, these incidents were not life-threatening.
As of the afternoon of April 3, the Cabildo of Tenerife managed 125 incidents related to the storm, with one minor injury reported. Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo, emphasized the need for caution as the storm conditions are expected to persist. "We are coordinating with emergency services to address any incidents, and I urge everyone to stay informed through official channels," she said.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the local emergency services handled 45 incidents since the maximum wind alert was activated. Among these incidents were the closure of Las Teresitas beach and the preventive evacuation of tourists from viewpoints in Anaga Rural Park. The city council has also taken measures to secure public parks, ensuring that signs and barriers are respected to mitigate risks.
Travel disruptions have been significant, with Binter Canarias temporarily suspending flights at Tenerife North Airport due to adverse weather conditions. As of April 3, 20 flights had been canceled across the archipelago, primarily affecting inter-island routes.
In Gran Canaria, five roads remain closed due to storm-related incidents, including the GC-200, GC-75, GC-130, GC-702, and GC-600. The Cabildo has been actively monitoring the situation and has opened the Tejeda Park fire station to reinforce emergency response efforts.
In Lanzarote, the Island Emergency Plan was activated, leading to the suspension of all outdoor activities from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on April 3. The authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to secure loose items that could be blown away by the wind.
The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) has issued red alerts for eastern La Palma due to hurricane-force winds potentially exceeding 130 km/h, while Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, and El Hierro are under orange alerts for winds up to 100 km/h. The forecast indicates that the storm's intensity may increase further, particularly in the afternoon.
In light of the severe weather conditions, the Education Ministry confirmed that classes would resume on Friday, April 4, 2025, across the archipelago, following a thorough assessment of the situation in schools.
As the storm continues to affect the region, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and to heed safety recommendations. The Government of the Canary Islands has emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures, such as avoiding areas with unstable structures and staying indoors during peak wind conditions.
In summary, while the immediate threat from Storm Nuria appears to be easing, the aftermath of this weather event will likely be felt for some time as recovery efforts begin and residents assess the damage. The authorities remain on high alert as they monitor conditions and respond to any new incidents that may arise.
