Storm Dorothea leaves over 9,000 households in Tenerife without electricity
The fierce winds brought by Storm Dorothea have caused widespread disruptions across Tenerife, with power outages affecting more than 9,500 households.
The Tenerife Cabildo confirmed the figures this morning (Monday), attributing the blackouts to the maximum wind alert issued for the island.
Municipalities Hit Hardest
The power cuts have predominantly impacted four municipalities:
- Los Realejos: 4,877 affected customers
- Guía de Isora: 2,531 affected customers
- Santa Úrsula: 1,100 affected customers
- La Victoria de Acentejo: 1,066 affected customers
The strong winds, with gusts exceeding 100 km/h in some areas, brought down power lines leaving thousands without electricity.
Fires and Road Disruptions
The severe weather also sparked two brush fires in La Orotava and La Victoria. Emergency teams, including firefighters, the Brifor Forest Brigade, and Civil Protection, swiftly brought the fires under control.
Road conditions across the island remain hazardous. Fallen trees, branches, lampposts, collapsed walls, and dislodged road signs have obstructed key routes, with some rendered impassable due to landslides.
Affected Areas and Wind Speeds
The most intense winds have been recorded in the following regions:
- Anaga (Las Carboneras), El Sauzal, La Victoria, and Santa Úrsula: gusts exceeding 100 km/h
- Valle de La Orotava: gusts generally above 90 km/h
- Punta del Hidalgo, Tijoco, and Tamaimo: gusts reaching 80 km/h
The relentless wind has complicated recovery efforts, with additional damage anticipated as the storm persists.
The island’s emergency operations centre has been overwhelmed with calls, logging 1,634 incidents since the onset of the storm. Tenerife’s fire department has responded to 84 emergencies, including debris removal and rescue operations.
Advice to the Public
Authorities continue to urge caution, advising residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Those in affected areas are encouraged to report hazards and outages to emergency services and to stay updated through official channels as the storm progresses.
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