Lanzarote Floods Costa Teguise – Hotel Closures and Advice

In mid-April 2025, a powerful flash flood event swept through parts of Lanzarote, catching residents and tourists off guard. The worst of the damage was concentrated in the popular resort of Costa Teguise and the island’s capital, Arrecife, leaving a trail of mud, debris, and disruption.

The flooding, triggered by an intense and localized storm, led to hundreds of emergency calls, temporary hotel closures, and significant damage to infrastructure. While no injuries were reported, the event raised serious questions about the island’s preparedness for extreme weather.

What Caused the Severe Floods in Costa Teguise and Lanzarote?

The primary cause of the flash floods was an extreme, short-duration rainfall event. The storm, which local authorities tracked as part of a wider weather system, dumped an extraordinary volume of water over a concentrated area in a very short time.

Key Insights

• The floods were caused by an intense, localized downpour that dumped over 47mm of rain in a few hours, more than the typical monthly average.
• Emergency services were overwhelmed, attending over 220 combined incidents in Costa Teguise and Arrecife.
• The Las Cucharas area of Costa Teguise was the epicenter of the damage, leading to the closure of three hotels.
• Despite the severity, conditions have normalized, and there are no current travel restrictions to Lanzarote from major aviation authorities.

Snapshot Facts: The Flood Event

When Did the Floods Hit and What Was the Immediate Impact?

The flash flooding struck on the weekend of April 12-13, 2025. The downpour began on Saturday afternoon, transforming streets in Costa Teguise into fast-moving rivers of mud and water within a matter of hours.

By the evening, emergency services were overwhelmed with calls. The Canary Islands government declared a 24-hour state of emergency, which was lifted on Sunday at 7 a.m. once the rain subsided. According to reports from the BBC News, crews handled more than 300 calls overnight. Enrique Espinosa, head of emergency services for Lanzarote, confirmed that crews were pumping out water, clearing debris, and addressing power outages.

Damage in Arrecife and Costa Teguise

The damage was widespread. In Arrecife, authorities reported around 200 incidents, while Teguise recorded roughly 75. The incidents ranged from water removal from homes to clearing roads made impassable by mud and debris. Schools suffered water damage, and utility disruptions hit both electricity and water supplies.

Which Hotels in Costa Teguise Are Closed Due to Flood Damage?

Three hotels in the Las Cucharas area of Costa Teguise were temporarily closed following the flooding. These hotels lost power and suffered water damage during the storm. According to local reporting from Gazette Life, the hotels are located in a fairly small zone near the Las Cucharas Shopping Centre. Guests were displaced or had to manage around flooded premises.

The exact reopening dates for these hotels remain unclear. The closures were described as temporary, and the hotels are currently undergoing damage assessment and repairs. Travelers with bookings in this specific area are advised to confirm directly with their accommodation providers.

Is It Safe to Travel to Lanzarote After the Floods?

Current information indicates that it is safe to travel to Lanzarote. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice following the event but did not advise against travel to the island. The FCDO’s guidance urged travelers to follow local authority instructions and monitor local weather updates, acknowledging that travel could be affected by flooding and mud-related disruption.

Lanzarote Airport operated as usual throughout the weekend, and there was no blanket travel ban or general government warning against travel. The weather has since returned to normal, and no further storm warnings were active for the area. Travelers visiting other parts of the island, such as Things to Do in Devon, faced no disruptions from this event.

Context: How Do These Lanzarote Floods Compare to Past Events?

The April 2025 flood event was unusually severe compared to typical storm patterns in Lanzarote. The island is generally arid, but it is vulnerable to “gota fría” (cold drop) storms. A single video source compared the event’s rainfall to a normal heavy storm, noting that a typical storm brings only 20–25 liters per square meter, while this event delivered roughly 100 liters per square meter in just two hours—roughly four to five times the intensity of a normal heavy rainfall.

This rare intensity overwhelmed the local drainage system, which was not designed for such a rapid influx of water. Unlike more widespread flooding seen in other parts of the Canary Islands, such as Tenerife, in previous years, this event was highly localized and the recovery has been swift. In response, local government president Oswaldo Betancort called for better meteorological detection systems and improved warning lead times, suggesting officials believed the event escalated too quickly for adequate preparedness. For context on other weather events, you can read about Storm Dexter UK Weather.

Timeline of the Lanzarote Floods

1. Pre-Event: Lanzarote placed on high alert for heavy rain ahead of the storm.
2. 12 April 2025 (Afternoon): Torrential rain begins, causing rapid flash flooding in Costa Teguise.
3. 12 April 2025 (Evening): Emergency services respond to over 150 incidents; a state of emergency is declared by the Canary Islands government.
4. 13 April 2025: Flooding spreads to parts of Arrecife; international media, including the BBC, report on the event.
5. 16 April 2025: Local news outlet Gazette Life reports that three hotels in Costa Teguise are closed for damage assessment and repairs.
6. Current: Weather has returned to normal. Travel is possible with no active travel restrictions.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About the Floods?

Sources and Official Statements

“Emergency services attended more than 150 incidents in Costa Teguise.”

— BBC News

“Three hotels… located in a fairly small zone near Las Cucharas Shopping Centre.”

— Gazette Life

“State of emergency declared… the island was on high alert.”

— Local Reports (Weather2019)

Summary: The Bottom Line on the Lanzarote Floods

The April 2025 Lanzarote floods were a major flash-flood emergency concentrated in Costa Teguise, Arrecife, Teguise, and San Bartolomé. The event caused significant but non-fatal damage, including temporary hotel closures, utility and road disruption, and a major emergency response effort. While the situation was severe, it was highly localized and the recovery has been swift. Travel to Lanzarote is now considered safe, with no active travel restrictions in place. The event has, however, sparked a renewed discussion about the island’s weather warning and detection systems.

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