Fuerteventura on coastal alert as Storm Bruna approaches
The Canary Islands Government has declared a coastal alert for Fuerteventura, with pre-alerts for rain, wind, storms and flooding.
Fuerteventura is under a coastal alert as Storm Bruna approaches the Canary Islands, with the regional government also declaring pre-alerts for rain, wind, thunderstorms and flooding.
A cold front associated with Bruna is expected to move across the islands from west to east between Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November. The Canary Islands Government says unsettled conditions could continue into the following week because of a separate disturbance of tropical origin.
Coastal conditions and weekend forecast
The Directorate General of Emergencies has declared the coastal alert across all the islands. The regional government warns of possible rough seas and swell of up to four metres on the north and west coasts of the archipelago.
Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are also under pre-alerts for rain and wind, alongside pre-alerts for thunderstorms and rain-related and coastal flooding that apply across the Canary Islands.
The forecast for the archipelago as a whole includes potentially heavy, locally persistent rain, with up to 100 litres per square metre in 12 hours in the worst-affected areas. South-westerly gusts could reach 90 kilometres per hour in high and particularly exposed places. These maximum figures are not specific forecasts for Fuerteventura.
Advice from emergency services
The Directorate General of Emergencies has asked people to take precautions, particularly near the coast and when travelling. Its advice includes staying away from piers, breakwaters and places exposed to waves, and postponing water activities and swimming at remote or unsupervised beaches.
During heavy rain, it advises reducing road journeys, using main roads where possible and avoiding ravines, watercourses and flood-prone areas, even if they are usually dry. It also recommends securing objects on balconies, windows and rooftops against wind, and staying away from metal structures and trees during thunderstorms.
Forecasts may change as the weather systems develop. The authorities recommend checking updates from the Spanish meteorological agency AEMET and 112 Canarias. Further self-protection advice is available from the Canary Islands Government. In an emergency, call 112.