Hurricane Dorota is intensifying over the Canary Islands and Madeira, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Flooding occurred in many places and buildings were destroyed. Mainland Portugal is also at risk of severe weather.
On Monday, the weather devastated the inhabitants of the Canary Islands. About 9,500 households in Tenerife were left without electricity and local services had to intervene dozens of times. Most of the complaints related to falling branches, flooding and impassable roads due to landslides. The strongest wind exceeded 100 kilometers per hour.
In the city of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, a storm toppled a palm tree that fell on the road in the center of the city. No one was hurt.
Classes have been cancelled
Local authorities in the Canary Islands have decided to suspend classes in schools due to dangerous weather. This happened, for example, in the city of Yaiza, where several institutions were closed until further notice. Teguise commune authorities also recommended to avoid traveling by school bus.
Several hundred firefighters intervened
On Tuesday, Dorothea headed for the Portuguese island of Madeira. The biggest loss in Madeira occurred in the commune of Santa Cruz, in the southeast of the island, where the fire brigade intervened several hundred times, mainly due to flooding. High waves also hit the streets of the island of San Miguel in the Azores, where there was extensive flooding. Several dozen people were evacuated. Local authorities have urged residents not to try to save cars in flooded areas.
Rain and storm are also predicted in Portugal. The Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Institute (IPMA) has issued a yellow warning for the northern regions of the country, which will be in effect on Wednesday and Thursday.
PAP, Canarian Weekly, Atlantico Hoy, JM-Madeira
Main photo: Bomberos de LPA / X
