Storm Olivier to the north of Lanzarote has forced air traffic to request changes in course to avoid these adverse weather areas.
Air traffic controllers reported this morning: “Our job in these situations is to continue to guarantee the separation between aircraft while the crews communicate to us the turns they need to avoid storms.
“Although the Canary Islands airports are still operational, these diversions represent one of the many consequences of the alert decreed by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) for the arrival of the Olivier storm, which brings with it strong gusts of wind, intense rains and thunderstorms, especially in the eastern islands.
“The situation continues to be monitored in real-time by the air traffic control services, which coordinate the necessary diversions with the crews to guarantee the safety of all flights operating in the Canary Islands’ airspace.”
Storm Olivier is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and strong wind today and overnight.
Almost a dozen incidents have been recorded in the last few hours due to rainfall, as reported by the Emergency and Security Coordination Centre of the 112 of the Canary Islands.
So far the most affected island is Gran Canaria, where there have been small landslides on roads in Agaete, San Mateo and Gáldar.
The bulk of the rainfall, according to 112 Canarias, is expected for Wednesday night.
Gusts of 70 kilometers per hour are expected and there could also be hail.
The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has declared a pre-alert situation for very strong winds and persistent rainfall and warns about potential flooding. Huge waves are also anticipated.
In a statement, the regional government has advised avoiding driving by car and, if it is essential, to take extreme precautions, paying special attention to the height of the water, moderating speed and monitoring the brakes.
It is also urged to circulate preferably on main roads or motorways, avoiding forest tracks or secondary roads and using the lowest gears.
The government says that it is important not to cross bridges in which the water overflows above and not to enter the flood areas of a house, such as garages or basements, among others. Nor should you use the elevator and call 112 exclusively in case of emergency.
As for storms, it is important not to go near to assess the damage caused by a lightning strike, or to run under a thunderstorm.
Given the forecast that points to the arrival of strong winds, the Government of the Canary Islands asks the population to take all the necessary prevention and self-protection measures.
People should stay away from old houses, cornices and walls, and avoid passing in front of buildings under construction or in poor condition.
In addition, be careful around street furniture, scaffolding, cranes, illuminated signs, billboards or any other element that may fall or be blown away by the wind.
In the same way, it is advisable to remove from windows, balconies and rooftops flower pots and all objects that may fall into the street and cause an accident and check homes so that there are no cornices, balconies or facades in poor condition that could cause debris to fall.
The islands are only just finishing mopping up after Storm Nuria hit last week.
