Travel warning issued for Spain and Canary Islands as massive floods wash cars out to sea

Gran Canaria, a paradise destination famed for its pristine white sand beaches, is grappling with devastating floods that have resulted in cars being swept into the sea. Tourists on the island, which was a popular destination for Welsh holidaymakers during half term last week, have been advised to remain indoors as escalating water levels pose grave risks throughout the area.

With about 850,000 residents, comprising 40% of the entire Canary Island's population, the community has been shaken by torrential flooding, which has led to streets being buried in mud and vehicles pulled beneath bridges. Social media pictures and video show torrents of murky water violently rushing across the rural and mountainous Gran Canaria.

Water flowing from higher elevations has made its way down to more heavily inhabited regions, including those in the southern part of the island favoured by holiday-makers. Captured on video, one car is seen being washed into the sea.

Another shows a car being overwhelmed by floodwater, then swept away along the street until it disappears from view, reports the Mirror.

Authorities across all Canary Islands declared a state of "pre-alert" last Saturday, March 1, as heavy rains battered the region over the weekend. Come Monday, Spain’s meteorological body Aemet announced a red alert for Gran Canaria, signalling ongoing adverse weather conditions for the week ahead.

While some vehicles were swept into the sea by the fierce floods, others were left vertical, stuck or destroyed. Bollards shook and bins were also carried away by the powerful currents.

Several cars were pulled into the Las Bachilleras ravine. A clean-up operation commenced as locals and firefighters grabbed shovels and brushes to clear piles of mud from the streets and homes in the severely impacted Salinetas neighbourhood in Telde.

However, local news outlet Canaria Weekly reported that emergency services remain on "high alert", with authorities advising people, including tourists, to avoid unnecessary travel. In Tenerife, at least 80 individuals were recently trapped in a supermarket due to flooding.

A red alert has also been issued in Valencia, on the mainland, with schools across the region closed as a safety measure.

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