Lanzarote's Crazy Storm: Costa Teguise and Arrecife Underwater!
Okay, so you won't believe what happened in Lanzarote on April 12th, 2025. This beautiful Canary Island, usually all sunshine and beaches, got absolutely hammered by a freak storm. Torrential rain, the kind you see in movies, turned parts of Costa Teguise and Arrecife into rivers. Seriously, it was crazy. They even declared a state of emergency – honestly, who saw that coming?
Rain, Rain, Go Away (But It Didn't!)
The rainfall was insane. I mean, insane. Arrecife, the capital, saw a whopping 61 liters of rain per square meter in just two hours! And Costa Teguise? Even worse – a staggering 97.5 liters in the same timeframe. It was like someone turned on a firehose aimed straight at the island. Streets became raging rivers, cars were submerged, and homes, especially around the El Trebol apartment complex in Costa Teguise, were flooded. Emergency services were scrambling, responding to over 300 calls for help. Thankfully, no one was hurt, which was a huge relief.
A Night of Chaos and a Race Against Time
Enrique Espinosa, head of Lanzarote's emergency services, described it as a frantic night. Rescuing people, getting them to safety – the whole thing. While no injuries were reported, the property damage is significant. Basements filled with water, mud everywhere…you name it. Lots of roads were impassable for hours. They declared a state of emergency, but thankfully, it was lifted by 7 a.m. the next morning. The focus then shifted to assessing the damage and helping everyone affected.
Tourism Takes a Hit, but the Spirit Remains Strong
This storm hit right before the peak tourist season, which is a huge blow to local businesses. Imagine relying on tourism and then BAM! A deluge of biblical proportions. The emotional toll on residents is also considerable; dealing with the aftermath can’t be easy. It really highlights how even popular tourist destinations aren’t immune to these extreme weather events, something likely linked to climate change. But you know what? The Lanzarote community is amazing. Everyone’s pitching in to clean up and rebuild. It’s inspiring to see.
Rebuilding and Looking Ahead
The local government is working hard to help those affected and improve drainage systems and emergency response. They’re committed to making sure something like this doesn’t happen again, or at least, minimizing the impact. The island's spirit is strong. Lanzarote's shown time and time again it can overcome adversity. While the immediate crisis is over, the long-term recovery is just beginning. But they're up for the challenge, and they’ll rebuild stronger than ever.
