Storm Nuria has resulted in a minor injury at the port of La Cruz in Tenerife, due to a piece of iron being dislodged by the intense winds affecting the island, which have recorded gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour in the Teide National Park.
Concerning the individual with minor injuries, they have been taken to hospital; this is the sole incident involving people following a night marked by calm and minimal occurrences, with a morning where “hurricane-force gusts have begun to be noted”, as reported on Thursday by Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, during a press conference at the Insular Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopin).
Dávila stated that 300 personnel, including professional firefighters and volunteers, have been mobilised to the ground to focus on preventative measures.
In the Medianías region, the president noted that some gusts have surpassed 80 km/h, with sustained winds across the lower part of the island exceeding 70 km/h.
Gusts of up to 90 km/h have also been recorded in San Miguel de Abona, Granadilla, and Arico.
Additionally, Dávila mentioned that the forecasts from the State Meteorology Agency (Aemet) regarding metropolitan areas “are being realised”, with some areas experiencing winds over 100 km/h.
“The situation is expected to worsen by midday, with winds exceeding 100 km/h during the central hours of the day and a severe risk due to atypical phenomena, including both rainfall and winds,” stated Dávila.
Up until 1 PM, most incidents reported have involved fallen branches, posts, and fences. The president of the Tenerife council pointed out that the expectation is for the storm front to “pass swiftly” and for conditions to improve by around 7 PM.
Rosa Dávila emphasised that many of these incidents have occurred in the lower part of the island and the southern regions. She urged residents to adhere to guidance and information from official sources while exercising extreme caution, particularly in coastal areas, where wave heights of at least 2 metres are anticipated.
The Minister of Natural Environment and Emergencies of the Cabildo, Blanca Pérez, reminded the public about road closures such as the one leading to Teno, adding that workers from the Cabildo are primarily focused on ensuring no individuals are present on tracks, trails, or camping areas.
“A large contingent of personnel is engaged in preventative measures and attending to incidents as they arise,” she remarked.
Pérez also expressed concern regarding wind impacts in the metropolitan area “due to its higher concentration of population”, although she agreed that the storm “will pass quickly and likely, by 7 PM, the effects will be less pronounced.”
Technicians from the Cabildo de Tenerife have also indicated that the orange alert is expected to be lifted by 10 PM.
Regarding the resumption of in-person schooling activities, a decision that the Canary Islands government must make, Dávila explained that it will depend on the specific repercussions on infrastructure and that a determination will be made later, once further information about any potential damage has been gathered.
