The Canary Islands are reeling from the impact of Storm Dorothea, which intensified considerably over the weekend, bringing severe weather conditions to the archipelago. This storm, which was named on December 14, 2024, has resulted in hurricane-force winds and significant disruptions, particularly on the islands of El Hierro, La Gomera, and Tenerife.
According to the Agency State Meteorology (Aemet), high winds have been recorded, reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour, necessitating multiple weather alerts across the islands. Specifically, El Hierro, La Gomera, and Tenerife have been under orange alerts, whereas the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura have been under yellow alerts, with expected winds of up to 70 km/h.
Due to the extreme weather conditions and safety concerns, the government of the Canary Islands took precautionary measures by suspending classes for December 16. This suspension affects educational institutions across the storm-impacted regions, including all municipalities within the island of Tenerife such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, and Tacoronte, as well as El Hierro and La Gomera. The Universidad de La Laguna also announced the cancellation of its activities.
“En las últimas 24 horas, la borrasca Dorothea ha dejado rachas huracanadas en puntos de las islas canarias occidentales, especialmente en La Gomera,” said Aemet, emphasizing the storm’s destructive reach. The authorities monitored the situation, with precautionary warnings as wind gusts exceeded typical thresholds.
Aside from educational disruptions, emergency services have been overwhelmed with reports. The 112 Canarias emergency center has logged over 300 incidents directly attributable to the storm's conditions. These incidents include downed trees, power outages affecting thousands of homes, and damage to vehicles and infrastructure. Notably, Tenerife has reported nearly 150 incidents due to falling trees and blocked roads.
Damage assessments indicate the loss of power for approximately 9,574 subscribers during the peak of the storm, with immediate restoration efforts underway. Areas like Los Realejos faced the most significant impact, with about 4,877 subscribers affected. The emergency response team conducted over 84 interventions, focusing primarily on blocked roads and protecting citizens from falling debris.
On El Hierro, the brunt of the storm has caused infrastructure challenges, with several incidences of roof collapses and interruptions to power. The local government closed roads and restricted access to certain areas, such as the popular Teide National Park, as safety remains the top priority.
“La Dirección General de Emergencias mantiene la alerta por fenómenos costeros en Canarias,” alert Aemet, indicating dangerous sea conditions as strong winds and waves destabilized the coastal regions. Boaters and fishermen have been advised to avoid the shores due to adverse weather conditions.
Further complicate the situation, the storm has elicited serious concerns about the ecological impact on the islands. The breakage of vegetation and potential flooding of low-lying areas poses both environmental and infrastructural threats. Authorities voiced the importance of community safety, warning residents to be cautious of outdoor activities and to stay indoors when possible.
Despite the challenges, meteorological forecasts suggest the storm will begin to weaken significantly as it moves northward, allowing for normalcy to gradually return to the islands. Yet, the impending calima brought by southeast winds is expected to affect air quality and visibility issues across the region.
Going forward, authorities will monitor weather conditions closely as they assess the damage left by Dorothea. For those living on the islands, the inconveniences of canceled classes and electric outages are minor compared to the potential hazards posed by the storm. The hope is for recovery and rebuilding to start soon, provided the weather continues to improve.
The community is encouraged to remain cautious and prioritize safety as they experience the immediate aftermath of Storm Dorothea. Programs for assistance and damage reports are expected to follow shortly as officials work tirelessly to restore order and provide support.
“La borrasca Dorothea ha provocado numerosos estragos en Canarias, dejando más de 300 incidencias desde el inicio de este fenómeno,” stated the local emergency services, encouraging everyone to be vigilant as recovery efforts begin. Updates on recovery initiatives will be posted regularly, and residents are advised to stay informed through official channels.
Overall, Storm Dorothea has left its mark on the Canary Islands, underlining the importance of preparedness and community resilience against natural disasters.
