STORM CHAOS RETURNS TO THE CANARIES

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Tuesday February 2 2010

STORMS lashed the Canary Islands on Monday, flooding the regional capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

by JAMES TWEEDIE

In a an echo of last November's deluge which caused flash-flooding in the Orotava valley of northern Tenerife, high winds and waves battered the coasts and brought with them torrential rain.

Tenerife's Cabildo government declared an orange alert on Monday afternoon, closing schools and advising residents to take emergency measures. The alert was rescinded on Tuesday evening.

One official said that the tempest was just short of the tropical storm level.

Fortunately no-one was reported killed, although some people had to be rescued from the floods by emergency dservices, which also caused extensive damage to property.

Water flows of up to 144,000 litres per minute were measured in Tenerife.

The normally dry Barranco de Santos – the ravine which runs through the city of Santa Cruz – was in full spate, carrying tons of soil, stones, logs and branches down into the harbour.

The spectacle of arid valleys springing into flood was repeated across the islands.

Roads became rivers, slowing or stopping traffic. The surface of the tarmac was washed away in many places, and some roads even caved in, exposing water and sewage pipes.

Bus and tram services in Santa Cruz and neighbouring La Laguna were affected. One tram was derailed near Candelaria hospital.

Some flights from the northern Los Rodeos airport were delayed.

The ground floors of homes, shops, churches and other buildings were left awash with mud and vegetation. Further damage was caused as garden walls collapsed.

By Tuesday afternoon authorities, residents and businesses were hard at work cleaning up after the storm, but electricity and water supplies had still not been restored in some parts of the capital.

Bulldozers were used to clear mud and debris from the streets.

Celebrations for the local religious holiday of the Virgin of the Candelaria was cancelled in the wake of the storm.

The extreme weather struck in the early phases of of Tenerife famous carnival, and the start of its highlight the Murga contest, due to begin on Monday night, was delayed until Wednesday.

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