Lorraine Williamson
The Canary Islands Government declared a maximum rainfall alert overnight, before subsequently lowering the warning to alert level as conditions improved. The emergency coincided with an island-wide electricity blackout on Monday 2 November, affecting more than 50,000 supply connections before power was fully restored at 10.26 am. Authorities recorded 62mm of rain in one hour and 138mm over 12 hours, with further heavy showers possible throughout the day.
The escalation follows several days of increasingly severe weather warnings across the archipelago, with conditions deteriorating sharply overnight. Emergency authorities are particularly concerned about the intensity and persistence of the rainfall, which could cause rapid flooding in vulnerable areas, including ravines, low-lying roads and steep mountain terrain.
La Palma rainfall warning downgraded after overnight deluge
The Canary Islands Government’s Directorate General for Emergencies raised the alert level for eastern La Palma after exceptionally intense rainfall developed during the night. According to the official emergency bulletin published on 2 November, the island recorded 62mm of rain in one hour and 138mm over a 12-hour period, with the most persistent rainfall expected to continue until around 6.00 am.
The maximum alert applies specifically to the eastern side of La Palma, while the remainder of the island remains under the lower alert classification. The decision was taken under the Canary Islands’ emergency plan for adverse weather, using information supplied by Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, alongside other available forecasts.
The rainfall figures demonstrate how quickly conditions can deteriorate during intense storms. More than 60 litres of water falling on every square metre in an hour can overwhelm drainage systems and create dangerous surface-water flooding, particularly where roads cross natural watercourses.
The government subsequently lowered the warning to alert level as rainfall eased, although further intense showers remain possible.
Electricity restored after island-wide blackout
La Palma experienced a complete electricity blackout on Monday morning, leaving more than 50,000 electricity connections without power. The outage began at 6.42 am and lasted three hours and 48 minutes, with the Canary Islands Government confirming that supplies had been fully restored across the island by 10.26 am.
The regional government activated its Territorial Emergency Plan (PLATECA) at 7.30 am to coordinate the response to the disruption. The official government announcement confirmed the island-wide failure, while the Department of Ecological Transition and Energy subsequently announced that electricity had been restored.
Although the blackout occurred during severe weather, authorities have not confirmed that the storms caused the power failure. The maximum rainfall warning remains a separate concern, with residents and visitors advised to continue following official emergency guidance.
Heavy rain threatens El Hierro and La Gomera
La Palma is not the only island facing potentially dangerous conditions on Monday. El Hierro and La Gomera remain under rainfall alert, with further intense showers forecast throughout the morning and early afternoon.
The regional government warns that rainfall could exceed 30mm in one hour across the three western islands, particularly before 3.00 pm. However, forecasters have not ruled out heavy showers continuing later into the afternoon, and the precise location of the most intense rainfall remains uncertain.
The unsettled weather is associated with strong convective activity, which can produce concentrated downpours over relatively small areas. This means conditions may vary considerably between neighbouring towns, with some locations experiencing much heavier rainfall than others.
Tenerife and Gran Canaria remain under pre-alert
Tenerife and Gran Canaria are also expected to experience heavy showers, although the regional authorities have maintained the lower pre-alert classification for both islands. Rainfall could reach or exceed 20mm in an hour, particularly in northern Tenerife and the metropolitan area around Santa Cruz and La Laguna.
Further showers are possible on Tuesday 3 November across the mountainous Canary Islands, although the government expects them to become more scattered and generally less intense. The authorities have stressed that the developing weather system remains difficult to predict, meaning further changes to the warnings cannot be ruled out.
Residents and visitors can follow the latest regional emergency announcements through 112 Canarias and check detailed forecasts through AEMET’s official weather warning service.
Flooding risks and advice for residents
Heavy rainfall poses particular risks in the Canary Islands because of the steep volcanic landscape and the network of ravines, known locally as barrancos. Water can accumulate rapidly and flow downhill with considerable force, even in places where rain appears to have eased.
Emergency authorities advise people to avoid ravines and areas prone to flooding, postpone unnecessary journeys during intense rainfall, and never attempt to drive through flooded roads. Anyone planning to walk or hike in mountainous areas should pay particular attention to changing weather conditions and local restrictions.
Residents should also check that drains and water outlets are clear where it is safe to do so. Visitors travelling between islands should consult their airline or ferry operator for the latest service information, although the emergency bulletin does not itself confirm widespread transport cancellations.
Authorities continue monitoring the storms
The Canary Islands Government has warned that uncertainty remains over the location, intensity and duration of the heaviest rainfall. Emergency officials are continuing to monitor the situation and will revise the alert levels if changing conditions require further action.
The overnight maximum alert for eastern La Palma represents a significant escalation from Sunday’s warnings and underlines the seriousness of the overnight rainfall. With further intense showers possible during Monday, residents and visitors are being urged to remain cautious, follow official instructions and call 112 in an emergency.