In a sudden turn of weather, the Canary Islands experienced gusts of wind exceeding 100 km/h yesterday, Wednesday, which particularly affected the island of El Hierro, although they have spread to the other islands during the night.
These southeast winds prompted the authorities to close schools and suspend extracurricular programs, and any outdoor municipal facilities.
The authorities issued advisories urging residents to refrain from unnecessary travel to mitigate potential risks associated with the extreme weather conditions.
Explaining the decision to suspend activities, Mayor Pablo Rodríguez Cejas said, "Strong winds in the municipality have intensified, compounded by the local topography, which amplifies their speed and resulting impact, posing risks to public areas and roadways."
Cejas further clarified that the decision was made in consultation with the management of primary schools and secondary schools, who emphasised the importance of ensuring student safety.
The island council mobilised all necessary emergency resources to address any situations and minimise disruptions caused by the weather after the General Directorate of Emergencies (DGE) declared an alert for El Hierro with maximum gusts expected to reach and exceed speeds of 60 to 90 km/h.
If strong winds persist in any of the islands, there will be schools closed and activities cancelled in more places across the archipelago.
