The General Directorate of Emergencies has declared a pre-alert situation for coastal phenomena in Tenerife, La PalmaEl HierroLa Gomera and Gran Canaria, starting at 07:00 on Sunday, 12th May.
This decision has been made based on the prediction of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) and/or other available sources, and in accordance with the Specific Emergency Plan for Canary Islands for Risks of Adverse Weather Conditions PFM (Decree 18/2014, 20th March).
Specifically, there are expected strong northeast offshore winds reaching force 7 (from 50 to 61 kilometers per hour) between the islands of La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, and between Tenerife and the southeast of Gran Canaria. It is also predicted rough seas with areas of swell offshore and ground swell, coming from the north, with waves of one to two meters. Additionally, on the southeast and northwest coasts of these five islands, there will be local wind gusts reaching and exceeding 60 kilometers per hour, and the waves could reach and exceed one and a half meters in height.
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Self-Protection Tips
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- Protect your home from the potential invasion of seawater
- Do not place yourself at the end of docks or breakwaters, nor risk taking photographs or videos near where the waves break
- Avoid fishing in risk areas
- Do not drive vehicles on roads close to the shoreline
- Never swim on secluded beaches or those you are not familiar with sufficiently, as there may be local eddies
- Avoid swimming at beaches with a red flag, in areas with strong waves and undertow, or lacking surveillance and rescue services
- Avoid engaging in sports and water activities in areas affected by ground swell and do not camp on the beach during rough sea alerts
- If you notice unusual waves, do not stay near the sea or approach even if it suddenly calms down
- If you have a boat, make sure it is securely moored in a sheltered area
- If you see others in dangerous places, warn them of the danger
- If you fall into the water, move away from where the waves break, call for help, and wait to be rescued
- If you try to exit and are caught by the waves, try to stay calm; do not swim against the current and let yourself be carried. Coastal currents generally lose intensity in other sections, and that’s when you should swim
- If you are on land and see someone fall into the water, throw them a line with a buoy, or any other object they can hold onto. Immediately call 1-1-2
