The inhabitants of Las Maretas, located in Arico, were faced with the full force of the powerful waves that battered the southeast coast of Tenerife. These waves led the town council to evacuate the residents of this coastal village from their homes. Over a dozen houses and approximately 20 to 30 neighbours had to be evacuated due to the relentless waves that hit the Arico coast and caused flooding in their homes in the early hours of the morning.
From 3 am yesterday, residents were caught off guard by the sea’s might as it surged into their homes. Firefighters and security patrols quickly arrived to assist those affected. The high and raging tide inundated many of the houses located on the first line of the coast. Some residents shared their experiences of being woken up by the floodwaters and having to use mops and towels to try and combat the unstoppable force of the water.
Many had to salvage their televisions, computers, and other possessions. “I was jolted awake by a loud noise, I thought it was the boiler, but then I saw my house flooded with water.” “The water reached up to my knees.” “I have never witnessed anything like this before.” These were the testimonies of many victims in the area.
The night was harrowing, and the morning brought no relief, as residents, following warnings from the Arico City Council and AEMET, started preparing their homes for another onslaught from the sea. A flood of similar proportions was anticipated. Although the worst seemed to have passed, the waves struck once more in the afternoon.
Help arrived swiftly: patrols from the Canarian Police, Civil Guard, Red Cross, Firefighters, and Local Police rushed to the area to secure the area, coordinate efforts, prepare, and evacuate those affected.
Santiago Avenue, in the town of Las Maretas, became the focal point where security forces concentrated their efforts. The proximity to the sea, the absence of protective barriers, and the continuous pounding of the waves forced citizens to be evacuated from their homes until at least the following day.
David stood outside his home with his family and neighbours, wearing a sombre expression: “I haven’t slept, been bailing out water all night,” he said. Gradually, residents began to gather their belongings, brace their entrances, and vacate their homes out of fear of what might come. “My biggest fear was for my daughter, but thankfully, we managed to reach safety swiftly,” David told the newspaper while fondly stroking his 7-year-old daughter’s hair.
Bags, stones, wooden boards… anything that could be used to block the main entrances of homes from potential future floods. Residents anticipated another surge of a similar magnitude and thus constructed barriers to prevent water ingress. Sand-filled bags and sacks emerged as their best defense in protecting their homes. One affected individual recounted how, “after the flood, he was left homeless.” “I woke up, and the water was up to my waist. Unbelievable,” he lamented.
Since 10 am, Tomás has been assisting residents living along the coastline. The octogenarian is one of the most dedicated to aiding those around him, placing sandbags at house entrances after filling them up with sand and debris using a shovel and hoe. He is the first to grab a shovel, fill the sacks, and transport them. Carrying several empty bags and cable ties, he goes from house to house, offering his assistance. As he remarked, “This is not something you see every day.” “I have lived in this town for over 60 years, and I have not witnessed a situation like this in a long time.” He also pointed out that “various factors aligned to create a perfect storm.”
Police services assisted residents in preparing for the high tide at 3 pm, when the waves hit hardest since the early hours of the morning. Water infiltrated through the doors of the homes facing the coast and exited through the garages, streaming to the other side of the street. It even surpassed the height of some homes. A meteorological phenomenon that left residents, spectators, as well as emergency and security services, bewildered.
The Arico City Council arranged for the Abades day centre to accommodate residents evacuated from the affected areas. Through the collaborative efforts of the insular Directorate of Security and Civil Protection of the Cabildo de Tenerife and the Red Cross, seven displaced residents were relocated, while others found shelter in the homes of relatives, friends, and neighbours from Wednesday night until today. The Mayor of Arico and head of the Security division, Olivia Delgado, emphasised that “all incidents are being closely monitored, and operations are being coordinated to ensure safety measures are in place.” “We are placing particular emphasis on preventive measures, such as staying away from wooded areas and the sea, always following the instructions of security personnel, and seeking information through official channels,” stated the councilor.
