La Palma power restored as storm alert eases

Power was fully restored across La Palma at 10.26 on Monday 2 November. The island-wide blackout lasted three hours and 48 minutes. The Canary Islands government later lowered the weather status to a rain and storm pre-alert from 10.00 on Tuesday 3 November.

The power cut affected more than 50,000 supply points. Endesa put the total at 50,508. The outage began at 06.38, while the regional government reported a full system failure at 06.42.

The blackout came during a strong thunderstorm. Authorities have not confirmed that the weather caused it.

Supply restored across the island

Technical teams brought power back in stages before full service returned at 10.26. Several units at the Los Guinchos power station were reconnected during the work.

Red Eléctrica repaired the Guinchos-Valle high-voltage line and put it back into use. The line had been out since 04.10. It is La Palma’s only power transmission link.

The regional government activated its Plateca emergency plan at 07.30. The plan helped public bodies share work and track risks to key services while the grid was brought back.

The exact cause of the blackout is still under review. Officials said the loss of power happened during severe weather, but they have not linked the two events.

Storm alert lowered, but risk remains

Eastern La Palma had been under the highest rain alert after intense overnight rain. The island recorded 62 litres per square metre in one hour and 138 litres over 12 hours. Flooding affected homes, businesses and drains in Breña Baja and Breña Alta. No injuries were reported at the time.

From 10.00 on Tuesday, the government placed every island under a rain and storm pre-alert. It said the weather remained hard to predict and warned that strong, lasting showers could still form during the middle of the day.

Rain could top 30 litres per square metre in one hour. The main areas at risk include metropolitan Tenerife, Acentejo and Valle de Güímar. Telde, Valsequillo and eastern Gran Canaria may also see heavy rain. Showers are possible in eastern La Palma, with a lower chance in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Advice during heavy rain

The government asked people to avoid road trips where possible. Drivers who must travel should use main roads, slow down and leave more braking space. They should not cross flooded roads, low ground or dry ravines that can fill without warning.

People should not shelter under trees or near metal structures during a storm. Anyone facing an emergency should call 112.

Sources: Government of the Canary Islands, InSpain.news, elDiario.es and 20minutos.