Emergency Plans Activated for Storm Claudia
Local and island governments across the Canary Islands are activating emergency plans and implementing preventive measures ahead of the arrival of Storm Claudia, expected to reach the archipelago by Wednesday afternoon. The regional government has announced the suspension of in-person classes, with schools on La Palma closing from 1:30 pm tomorrow, and those in Tenerife, El Hierro, and La Gomera closing from 3:00 pm. The University of La Laguna has also cancelled all in-person classes from 3:00 pm on November 12th.
Island-Specific Safety Measures
The General Directorate of Emergencies has declared an official alert for the storm, which forecasts predict will bring winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, potential thunderstorms, and rainfall of up to 100 liters per square meter within a twelve-hour period.
Tenerife’s Precautions
The Tenerife Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) will be activated from 12:00 pm on Wednesday due to the risk of flooding in some areas. As a precaution, all recreational areas and campsites managed by the Tenerife Island Council will remain closed. Travel on the tracks and trails of the Corona Forestal is prohibited, as is hiking on the trails of Teide National Park that lead to the peak and any canyoning activities. The Council has met with all 31 municipalities on the island to coordinate, with a special focus on flood-prone zones. Extraordinary resources from the Tenerife Island Water Council, Tenerife Firefighters, Brifor, and Roads have been mobilized.
La Palma’s Preparations
On La Palma, the Island Emergency Plan (Peinpal) has been activated from 00:00 hours on Wednesday, November 12th. This means the entire network of island trails and forest tracks is closed, along with recreational areas. Camping and mountain activities are prohibited, and access to the Cueva de las Palomas volcanic tube has been shut. Authorities have increased surveillance on roads in anticipation of landslides, flooding, or blockages from runoff or fallen trees. The La Palma Council strongly recommends avoiding all outdoor, sporting, festive, or leisure activities, as well as unnecessary travel on roads, especially those on slopes, through flood zones or ravines. They also advise against parking vehicles in these areas. The core of the storm on La Palma is forecast between 3:00 pm Wednesday and 11:00 am Thursday, with the greatest impact expected in the southwest, particularly the Aridane Valley and the slopes of the Caldera de Taburiente. The Council has positioned heavy machinery at strategic points and is prepared for the temporary closure of roads affected by landslides or water accumulation. Emergency protocols are being emphasized for the municipalities of El Paso and Garafía, as well as the northeast region of the island.
La Gomera’s Coordinated Response
In La Gomera, the Island Council has announced it will reinforce emergency and civil protection services following the alert for rain and wind. A joint operation is underway, coordinated through CECOPIN, involving various agencies and entities. The road operation has also been intensified, with increased surveillance and cleaning tasks on 17 island roads carried out by a team of over forty personnel.
Municipal Actions in La Laguna
The City Council of La Laguna has agreed to activate its Local Administration Operational Coordination Center (CECOPAL) from 2:00 pm this Wednesday. Following the meteorological alert, all after-school activities in public educational centers will be suspended from 3:00 pm. The municipality will also close sports facilities, municipal parks, civic centers, and senior centers. The Cruz del Carmen parking lot in the Anaga area will be closed, along with natural pools and coastal zones, while municipal maintenance and cleaning services will be reinforced. As a preventive measure, special cleaning of drain grates is being carried out to prevent the obstruction of channels and sewers.
