The island faces one of the most delicate days of the weather event after being declared an emergency due to the risk of flooding, with very irregular but locally intense rainfall, dams releasing water, and an increase in the flow of water in ravines that requires extreme caution.
Gran Canaria was placed under a regional emergency declaration on Tuesday, March 24, due to the risk of flash flooding, effective from 09:30 a.m., as Storm Therese moved in, according to the Canary Islands Government. The official update warns of disorganized and convective rainfall, particularly affecting eastern and southern Gran Canaria, where the ground is already saturated. The forecast also calls for dam overflows and significant flooding across the island. The regional government also indicates that rainfall totals could exceed 100 mm in 12 hours during the afternoon.
Adding to this situation is the worsening of incidents in various parts of the island, with landslides, damaged roads, isolated areas, and ravines with increased flow due to the release of water from several dams. Meanwhile, various media outlets have reported the request and authorization for the deployment of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) to support the emergency response in Gran Canaria, a measure linked to the escalation to Level 2 and the reinforcement of human and material resources.
In the educational sphere, the Regional Ministry of Education has confirmed that in-person classes will be suspended at all educational centers in Gran Canaria starting Wednesday, March 25th. Instruction will be provided remotely for those subjects where possible. The Canary Islands Government has emphasized that this decision is based on precautionary and preventative measures, while continuing to urge the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from riverbeds, ravines, and other high-risk areas while the situation remains unstable.
