Torrential rain and thunderstorms have battered the Canary Islands since Storm Olivier made landfall on the Spanish archipelago final Wednesday.
The island of Lanzarote bore the brunt of the extraordinary climate, with flooding affecting a number of vacationer hotspots.
With the Easter break simply across the nook, the storm would possibly affect vacation plans.
European governments have up to date their journey recommendation for vacationers within the Canary Islands and with upcoming journeys. Right here’s what that you must find out about security and journey insurance coverage.
Lanzarote hit by intense rain and flooding
Storm Olivier has swept by the Canary Islands, leaving accommodations, homes and roads in Lanzarote inundated with water.
As a lot as 60 litres of rain drenched the island in two hours on Saturday 12 April.
In accordance with the Island Emergency Consortium, the vacationer cities of Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife on the east coast of Lanzarote had been the worst affected.
Video footage exhibits automobiles semi-submerged on flooded roads and streams which have became harmful rapids.
Is it protected to journey to Lanzarote?
The UK Overseas, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace (FCDO) has up to date its journey recommendation for visiting the island.
“Heavy rainfall and flooding in Lanzarote occurred earlier in the present day (13 April 2025), with Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife significantly affected,” the newest steerage reads.
“Providers throughout the island are affected. Some accommodations are at the moment with out energy. Some roads are at the moment affected by mud.”
It urges travellers in Lanzarote or with upcoming journeys to comply with the recommendation of the native authorities and monitor native climate updates.
Eire’s Division of Overseas Affairs and Commerce has a normal journey alert for Spain.
“Spain can at instances expertise excessive climate circumstances, together with flooding, which may adversely have an effect on journey plans. You’ll be able to monitor data and alerts, together with extreme climate warnings, on the web site of the Spanish Meteorological Company, AEMET,” the replace reads.
“Residents are suggested to test the newest climate data earlier than they journey and to comply with the recommendation of the native authorities.”
Is journey to the Canary Islands disrupted?
After some disruption final week, Lanzarote Airport is now working as regular, with flights operating on time.
The Canary Islands authorities lifted the state of emergency in Lanzarote – declared on Saturday – at 7am on Sunday.
“Following the top of the flooding attributable to rain on April 12 within the municipalities of Arrecife, Teguise, and San Bartolomé on the island of Lanzarote, the island emergency state of affairs has ended,” it stated in an replace.
The opposite islands within the archipelago, together with vacation spots Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, appear to be comparatively unscathed.
Cloudy skies and light-weight rain are forecast for the remainder of the day.
What are my rights to a refund if I cancel my vacation to Lanzarote?
As international governments haven’t issued ‘no-go’ journey warnings for the Canary Islands, you aren’t robotically entitled to a refund should you cancel your journey – known as ‘disinclination to journey’.
Reimbursement is just probably in case your flight is cancelled by the airline or your lodging is closed as a result of flooding.
When you have booked with a journey agent or tour operator, contact the corporate immediately to grasp your choices.
Some insurance coverage insurance policies embody pure catastrophe cowl for an occasion that forestalls travellers from reaching their vacation vacation spot. You must learn the phrases and circumstances fastidiously and discuss to your supplier for recommendation.
