Storm Therese Devastates Tacoronte Neighborhood, Sparking Calls for Infrastructure Reform

Storm "Therese" has exposed the fragility of coastal infrastructure in Tacoronte, Tenerife, after heavy rainfall caused significant damage in the El Pris neighborhood. According to El Día, many residents are now in a desperate situation, left to deal with destroyed homes and the loss of their belongings following Tuesday’s storm.

Local resident Dulce Delgado, who lives on Calle La Salema, described the severity of the crisis. She lost much of her furniture and noted that the flooding was only brought under control after emergency services broke through a perimeter wall to redirect the water. Delgado claims the local council had been warned previously about water pooling in the area during lighter rain, yet no preventive action was taken. Now, many families feel abandoned, especially as insurance companies are refusing to cover the damage, leaving them to rebuild from scratch.

This disaster highlights a wider problem with urban planning in the Canary Islands, where complex terrain and outdated infrastructure struggle to cope with increasingly severe weather. While municipal crews work to restore power, water, and clear blocked roads, the focus has shifted to administrative accountability. There is now growing pressure on the Tacoronte City Council and the Cabildo of Tenerife to coordinate better and implement long-term solutions to ensure resident safety.

Beyond the immediate emergency, the storm has left a stark mark on El Pris, a neighborhood usually celebrated for its natural pools and views of Mount Teide. With sediment covering the roads and the sea discolored by runoff, it is clear that the current drainage system is inadequate. For the people of El Pris, the message is urgent: structural improvements are needed immediately to protect both their homes and their community.