The Canary Islands are assessing the damage after Storm Therese brought flooding, landslides and severe disruption across the Spanish archipelago, with the cost of repairs now nearing 200 million euro.
The storm, described by local officials as the “storm of the decade”, damaged roads, homes, farms and coastal infrastructure, and triggered an extensive clean-up effort in several islands.
Authorities said the total bill is still being calculated, but the impact has already spread across transport, agriculture and tourism, two of the region’s most important sectors.
Therese hit the islands with intense rain and strong winds, forcing the closure of roads and schools in some areas and leaving emergency crews to clear debris and restore access to affected communities. In the hardest-hit districts, floodwater entered homes and businesses, while landslides cut off mountain routes and damaged drainage systems.
Local governments have begun surveying public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and sea defences, as they prepare applications for financial support. The preliminary estimate of almost 200 million euro reflects both immediate repairs and longer-term rebuilding work.
Agriculture has been one of the worst-affected sectors. Farmers reported losses to banana plantations, vineyards and other crops, with floodwater damaging fields and soil structures. In some areas, standing water threatened harvests and increased the risk of disease in plants.
The islands’ tourism industry has also felt the effects. While major resorts remained open in many parts of the archipelago, the storm disrupted travel plans, closed attractions and made some roads temporarily impassable, affecting both visitors and local businesses.
Emergency services and municipal crews have worked to remove mud, clear blocked drains and repair damaged roads. Authorities are also checking the stability of slopes in hillside communities, where landslides raised concerns about further movement after heavy rain.
Spain’s central government has been asked to help with the recovery effort, and regional leaders are pressing for support as they warn that the cost could rise further once all damage is recorded. Officials said the final figure will depend on the pace of inspections and the extent of hidden structural damage.
Therese was one of the strongest storms to affect the Canary Islands in recent years, and the episode has renewed questions about the archipelago’s readiness for extreme weather. The islands, which rely heavily on tourism and imported goods, are particularly vulnerable when storms disrupt transport links and damage local infrastructure.
Recovery work is expected to continue for weeks, with repairs prioritised for roads, utilities and public buildings. Local authorities say restoring normality will take time, especially in rural areas where access remains difficult and the full scale of agricultural losses is still emerging.
