The government of the Canary Islands has declared a ‘Level 2’ state of emergency in the wake of heavy storms, closing schools today and advising people not to leave their homes.
The most affected area is Tenerife where the storm has become a tropical storm.
Heavy rains and winds up to 80 kph are creating havoc on El Hierro, Gran Canaria, La Gomera and La Palma with residents being cut of and thousands suffering power cuts.
In Gran Canaria, the bodies of two people were washed ashore and it is thought that their boat overturned during the storms.