Storm Therese Exposes Infrastructure Vulnerabilities Across Tenerife

Storm Therese has put Tenerife’s emergency services to the test, exposing the island's vulnerability to heavy, persistent rainfall. Security officials say the recent surge in emergency calls highlights an urgent need to improve maintenance protocols for both urban buildings and hillside areas.

The most recent incident took place early Thursday morning in the historic center of La Laguna. At 5:24 a.m., firefighters and local police were called to Calle Obispo Rey Redondo after debris fell from a building facade. The team secured the area to protect pedestrians, adding to a busy 24-hour period that included pumping water from flooded homes and clearing roads after a traffic accident on Camino Boca Tuerta late Wednesday night.

Ground instability has been a major concern throughout the storm. In the Valleseco neighborhood of Santa Cruz, a landslide left eight vehicles in a dangerous position, forcing firefighters to stabilize them before they could be safely moved. Emergency crews have been active across the island, with operations reported in La Orotava, Tacoronte, and La Victoria de Acentejo. Separately, in Alcalá, firefighters also responded to a dryer fire inside a building, though this incident was unrelated to the weather.

This high level of activity underscores the strain that severe weather places on the island’s infrastructure. The frequency of landslides and flooding raises serious questions about building maintenance and risk management on sloped terrain. As heavy rainfall becomes more common, authorities face increasing pressure to prioritize safety and protect the island’s heritage from further damage.