Damage caused by Storm Therese in the Canary Islands has now been estimated at €186.8 million, according to figures released by the Government Delegation in the region. Of that total, €185.8 million relates to damaged infrastructure, although officials stress the figures are still subject to verification.
The storm, which hit the archipelago during the second half of March, brought heavy rain, strong winds and rough coastal conditions, leading to flooding, landslides and significant disruption to roads, public services and facilities. As a direct result, 124 people were evacuated from affected areas.
State aid and funding split
Authorities say central government support will focus mainly on repairing municipal infrastructure and the provincial road network.
Under the current framework:
Support for local councils
To help cover their share, councils will be allowed to use Financially Sustainable Investments from 2024, an exceptional measure introduced for this situation.
Town halls have been given one month to submit detailed damage assessments. These will then be reviewed by the relevant ministry, which will arrange extra funding through the Treasury.
Once the aid package is formally approved and published, councils will have a further month to present specific repair projects.
Additional aid measures
The declaration of the Canary Islands as a seriously affected emergency zone unlocks further state support, including:
Wider economic support
The package also includes targeted help for the primary sector, alongside tax, employment and social security measures aimed at easing the wider economic impact.
Spain’s Minister for Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, has already held talks with Government Delegate Anselmo Pestana to coordinate the response.
