Heavy rains over the past few days have caused significant flooding across the Canary Islands, severely impacting the regions of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. On March 3rd and 4th, 2025, the islands experienced torrential downpours, leading to chaos on the streets as brown, muddy waters overflowed, sweeping cars and threatening residents.
According to reports from the Spanish meteorological agency, Aemet, over 180 millimeters of rain fell at certain locations on Gran Canaria in just hours, prompting the agency to issue red and orange weather alerts across several regions. Aemet indicated, "the phenomenon is linked to a depression present over the country which will remain until the end of the week." Authorities are warning residents to be cautious as more storms are predicated to strike the region.
The severity of the flooding evoked memories of previous disasters; just months ago, similar floods devastated Valencia, claiming the lives of over 200 people. Here, the impact has been largely material—vehicles were reported floating out to sea after being swept away by the force of the floodwaters. Juan Antonio Peña, mayor of Telde, remarked, "The damages are mainly material... vehicles carried to the sea."
On Tuesday, March 4th, dramatic footage captured by local residents showed torrents of water cascading through streets as one man heroically rescued a woman trapped inside her vehicle, highlighting the immediacy and danger posed by the floods. According to eyewitnesses, up to 30 liters of water fell per square meter within just three hours on March 3rd alone, underscoring the rapid escalation of the situation.
Meanwhile, the neighboring island of Tenerife also experienced its share of flooding, with overflowing sewers creating hazardous conditions near Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Observers noted the rapid rise of floodwaters, which inundated garages and parking lots, leaving many properties damaged.
Across Spain, authorities have raised alerts, with the Valencia region on orange alert and the Canary Islands, Aragon, and Catalonia on yellow alert. The inclement weather has not only affected local residents but also travelers, prompting warnings from tour operators. According to TUI, tourists currently situated around the affected areas are safe as the impacted zones do not include popular visitor locations.
The adverse weather, attributed to the cold drop phenomenon, is predicted to persist throughout the week. Meteorologists have recorded other alarming rainfall totals across southern Spain, including 140 millimeters falling in Aguilas—equivalent to nearly 10 months of rain—in just one weekend. Such massive accumulations add fuel to the anxiety surrounding potential disasters repeating on a large scale, as residents recall the destruction of Valencia last fall.
With this being witnessed, the Spanish government is under increasing pressure to respond effectively—especially as storm patterns globally continue to change and bring more extreme weather phenomena to traditional landscapes.
Aemet has emphasized the need for continued vigilance and preparedness as the situation develops, urging everyone to stay informed through proper channels as they navigate the impending weather challenges. The local community is urged to exercise caution, especially with many still recovering from the previous disastrous floods of late 2024.
It's clear this recent surge of rain and the subsequent floods reawaken fears of similar occurrences from the past, pressing the community to take necessary precautions. Local officials encourage continued local engagement and cooperation from residents and visitors alike to mitigate potential risks arising from the exceptional weather conditions.
Authorities remain vigilant as they monitor the weather, prepared to assist where needed, hoping for all affected to regain normalcy as quickly as possible. The aerial views captured by recent videos starkly portray the devastating impact of these flooding events, and the shared emotional burden of fear and recovery resonates deeply among those who have lived through such natural disasters.