Storm Therese has been pummelling the Canary Islands for a fifth consecutive day, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and holidaymakers as the popular Spanish archipelago endures what local media have described as "the storm of the century."
British tourists have found themselves caught up in the chaos, with flooding and landslides wreaking havoc across the islands just days before the Easter holiday period.
In Gran Canaria alone, more than 3,000 people have been displaced or left stranded following relentless overnight rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and severed access to entire communities.
Evacuees are currently sheltering at a secondary school, while emergency services have cautioned conditions may deteriorate further.
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Authorities have urged visitors to remain indoors as roads crumble, hotels sustain damage, and reservoirs threaten to overflow.
Entire neighbourhoods in the village of Agaete have been cleared amid fears that a nearby reservoir could burst, potentially washing away properties in the Los Perez and El Hornillo areas.
Rivers across the island have breached their banks, prompting at least ten reservoirs to release water through their dams to alleviate mounting pressure.
Concerns are now growing that the Las Ninas dam could be next to overflow.
Storm Therese has been pummelling the Canary Islands for a fifth consecutive day
|GETTY
In Gran Canaria alone, more than 3,000 people have been displaced or left stranded following relentless overnight rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and severed access to entire communities
|GETTY
Landslides have rendered more than 10 roads impassable, isolating significant portions of the island, while a major route was closed after the Arguineguin ravine burst its banks.
Popular tourist destinations such as San Bartolome de Tirajana, Santa Lucia, Mogan and Telde have been severely affected.
Mountain access roads remain treacherous, while coastal properties in Pozo Izquierdo have been battered by fierce winds and sea spray.
In Tenerife, winds reaching 73 mph overnight knocked out electricity and street lighting across parts of the southwest and northwest, leaving 30 people without power.
A hotel roof reportedly collapsed under the extreme conditions, with guests instructed to remain inside their rooms.
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Mountain access roads remain treacherous, while coastal properties in Pozo Izquierdo have been battered by fierce winds and sea spray
|REUTERS
Dramatic rescue operations are underway throughout the archipelago.
On La Gomera, 15 residents, including children, became trapped in Vallehermoso after a retaining wall gave way.
Three individuals are due to be airlifted to safety, though others have opted to stay in their homes despite the danger.
Flights from London, Manchester and Newcastle were among those diverted away from the storm-battered islands, with Lanzarote experiencing the worst disruption, including one cancellation and eight diversions.
Aircraft were rerouted to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura as conditions deteriorated.
Tenerife South Airport has been described as "chaos" by travellers on social media, with reports of lengthy luggage queues causing some passengers to miss their flights.
Landslides have rendered more than 10 roads impassable, isolating significant portions of Gran Canaria, while a major route was closed after the Arguineguin ravine burst its banks
|REUTERS
E-gates have also reportedly malfunctioned, leaving hundreds queuing to see a single passport officer.
One Tenerife resident advised on TikTok: "If you come to the airport, I do recommend you get here nice and early if you're leaving, there's bound to be queues when you've got this many people around."
Air travel is gradually returning to normal, with La Palma now reporting only minor delays.
British tourists have been strongly advised to remain indoors and avoid travel until conditions improve.
Yellow weather warnings persist across Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Gran Canaria, with forecasters predicting further heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.
Meteorologists anticipate the storm should begin to subside on Wednesday and Thursday as trade winds return to the region.
However, forecasters have cautioned that conditions could shift at any moment, urging continued vigilance among holidaymakers and residents alike.
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