Britons on holiday in popular destinations have witnessed their accommodations being damaged by severe weather conditions, with strong 70mph winds attributed to what local reports have labeled as the “storm of the decade.”
Storm Therese has unleashed relentless rain, wind, and wintry weather on the Canary Islands, disrupting the usual sunny and warm conditions expected during this time of year. Emergency protocols have been activated by local authorities, leading to the cancellation of outdoor activities and closure of gardens across the Spanish archipelago, as weather alerts dominated the first weekend of spring.
Images have captured the destruction caused to local structures, including a hotel where the roof collapsed, prompting advisories for people to remain indoors whenever possible.
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) in Spain has reported wind speeds exceeding 70mph, significantly surpassing the gale-force threshold of 54mph. Tenerife has been placed on high alert, while orange warnings were issued for Gran Canaria, El Hierro, La Palma, and La Gomera on Saturday.
Residents and tourists have been advised to exercise caution in these regions, with the Tenerife island council urging everyone to avoid non-essential travel.
Guests staying in hotels have also faced weather-related challenges, with a British vacationer at Bahia Principe Fantasia in Golf del Sur recounting how the hotel’s ceiling collapsed during a stormy night. Despite the dramatic weather, the sun occasionally emerges, attracting tourists back to the sunbeds.
Grupo Piniero, the owners of Bahia Principe, have been approached for comments. Affected areas in Tenerife have received temporary shelters, and access to Teide National Park has been restricted.
Despite the adverse conditions, some tourists have ventured out to capture striking images, including footage of rough seas pounding the coast in Tenerife. Coastal regions have witnessed sea defenses being breached, resulting in streets being inundated with water.
While no casualties have been reported following the storm’s naming by Portuguese authorities, emergency services have been active in assisting individuals impacted by the weather. Maritime Rescue teams conducted a rescue operation near El Médano beach after a boat faced difficulties in choppy waters, successfully rescuing stranded individuals.
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