Gran Canaria, one of Spain's most beloved holiday hotspots, has been ravaged by catastrophic flooding, leaving vehicles washed out to sea and authorities on high alert. Torrential rain struck the island on March 3, 2025, prompting extreme weather warnings and leading to dangerous conditions across the region.
The Spanish meteorological agency, AEMET, declared a red alert for Gran Canaria, indicating serious risk to life due to the flooding. With rising waters, streets transformed dramatically, as rapid currents turned roads near Telde, the main city,into torrents. Video footage captured harrowing moments, including one of a woman being rescued from her sinking car as muddy waters surged around her. Dramatic clips showed cars being rapidly swept away, dragged dozens of meters out to sea.
Local governments swiftly mobilized emergency services, issuing alerts to residents and tourists to remain indoors as floodwaters cascaded through streets, reclaiming vehicles and belongings. The city of Telde, under immense pressure, closed beach access due to heightened flood risks. Mayor Juan Antonio Peña was seen actively taking part in rescue efforts, declaring, "Thank you for so much... I'm proud to be from Telde." This heartfelt appeal underscored the community spirit as locals banded together to navigate the challenges posed by the severe weather.
On the surrounding islands, including Tenerife and La Palma, similar weather patterns unfolded, affected by the DANA weather phenomenon—a term used to describe high-altitude isolated depressions, which can create highly localized and intense rainstorms. Reports indicated instances of overflowing rivers and mudslides, prompting local authorities to issue preemptive warnings and restrictions.
AEMET indicated additional warnings were extended through March 5, cautioning of continuous threats posed by the turbulent weather system. Heavy rain accompanied lower-than-usual temperatures led to snow covering the picturesque Teide National Park, creating conditions more reminiscent of polar regions than the subtropical landscapes typical of the Canary Islands.
By March 4, conditions continued to worsen, with yellow weather warnings issued for regions including El Hierro, La Gomera, and Fuerteventura. The potential for snow compounded the hazards as local officials worked to control flooding situations, with some reports confirming at least 80 people trapped inside supermarkets due to high water levels, prompting emergency pumps to assist their evacuations.
The flooding has placed additional strain on the already turbulent waters of recent natural calamities, harkening back to last year's catastrophic floods on the Spanish mainland. Those events devastated communities, claiming 223 lives and leaving significant destruction behind.
Daily life for Gran Canaria's residents has been significantly impacted, forcing cancellations of cultural events, most prominently the island's Carnival celebrations scheduled to run until March 9. With rain-soaked streets and high winds, many festivities have either been postponed or moved to locations free from weather threats.
Travel through the islands faced minor hiccups with few incoming flights delayed or canceled. The UK’s Foreign Office has not issued travel warnings for visitors, indicating safe travel could resume soon as conditions were expected to ease by March 5, according to meteorological forecasts.
Recovery from these recent events will take time, as authorities continue to monitor weather developments closely, urging citizens to remain vigilant, especially alongside the anticipated shifts typical of the DANA system. Communities prepare to rejuvenate and restore as the waters recede and normalcy begins to settle back on this beautiful part of Spain.
With conditions set to stabilize and the heavy cloud coverage expected to lessen, officials remain hopeful for more favorable weather as they gear up for the long task of recovery from this damaging storm.