A popular British tourist destination has been placed under a ‘maximum’ weather warning after emergency services recorded more than 300 incidents over the weekend caused by strong winds.
The Canary Islands, including Tenerife, El Hierro and La Gomera, were battered by 80mph winds this weekend as trees fell, buildings were damaged and debris was blown around.
In one incident, a ‘rogue’ porta-loo was lifted off the ground before crashing into two police cars.
The extreme weather in the southern Spanish islands has come from Storm Dorothea, which has brought about strong south and southeastern winds.
The islands’ government have now raised the alert level to ‘maximum’ in some areas, with emergency services warning tourists and locals to ‘not let their guard down.’
El Hierro, a western island, has been placed under a red warning by the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), with Tenerife and La Gomera given amber alerts.
Other popular destinations including Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are covered by yellow alerts for wind with speeds expected to be around 40mph.
In a post on X yesterday evening, AEMET warned of a ‘significant danger.’
Their post read: ‘Wind gusts of more than 130km/h have been observed, which may be repeated in the coming hours.
‘Precaution! The danger is extreme.
‘In the rest of the western islands, hurricane gusts may also be recorded: a significant danger.’
Those situated in the Canary Islands have been reminded to secure loose objects, avoid outdoor activities and keep emergency contact numbers available.
The Canary Islands, around a four hour flight from London, are one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations for Brits.
It is estimated that 5.8 million Brits holidayed in Tenerife alone in 2022 – which was the most visited of the of the islands that year.
Gran Canaria came in at second, with 3.8 million holidaymakers hopping on a plane to the island in the North Atlantic Ocean.
And many Britons will no doubt be longing to jet off once again after a torrid autumn and early winter weather-wise in the UK.
The country has been battered by Storms Ashley, Bert, Connell and Darragh in recent months causing flooding, damage and loss of life.
A Welsh rugby club also had its roof blown off by gale-force winds.
South-west England was one area particularly affected. In one incident, nine cows were killed in Cornwallwhen a power cable was blown on top of them.
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