The Cabildo de La Gomera has been activating the Island Emergency Plan since Tuesday, November 10, based on the declaration of the warnings for winds and coastal phenomena decreed by the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands, in the face of the arrival of the storm Charles, which is expected to unleash strong gusts of wind, especially in summit areas.
With this activation, the island institution keeps all emergency and civil protection services operational, coordinated through CECOPIN, as well as road conservation and maintenance operations. Thus, the network of trails, forest tracks, recreational areas, and the closure of the El Rejo road, which connects GM-1 with GM-2, as well as the facilities of the Botanical Garden in Vallehermoso and the Cheese and Pastoralist Interpretation Center in Alajeró, were closed.
The population is asked to try to postpone road trips and, if they do, to take extreme precautions due to the possible presence of obstacles on the roads. Likewise, it is recommended to avoid areas where detachments and falls of branches may occur. In addition, it is urged to remove from windows, balconies and roofs pots and other objects that may fall into the street and cause an accident.
It is recommended to exercise extreme caution in exposed coastal areas, especially during periods of high tide, avoiding access to docks, jetties, exposed promenades and breakwater areas.
The Cabildo remembers the importance of staying informed only through the official channels of the Corporation and 112 Canarias. In case of any incident, you must contact 112 or the Island Operational Coordination Center (CECOPIN) at 922 14 15 01.
Adverse weather phenomena
This is an episode of southwesterly wind associated with the passage of the high impact storm Charles through the Canary Islands, which will cause a progressive intensification of the wind during Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November.
During today, Tuesday, November 10, the wind is expected to increase from moderate to strong, especially on summits and northwestern and southeastern slopes of the mountainous islands, where very strong gusts will be likely, which may reach or exceed 70 km/h.
During the evening, the wind intensification will progressively spread from La Palma to the rest of the western islands, with gusts that may reach or exceed 100 km/h in La Gomera. The highest intensities are expected in midlands, summits and exposed slopes, especially in areas of the northwest and southeast.
Worsening of the sea state since today, with thick sea and northwestern bottom sea that could reach 3–4 meters. Southwest wind, force 7 (50 to 61 km/h), with a long wave period of 12 seconds.
The areas of greatest exposure will be the open coastlines to the north, northwest and west of the archipelago, especially in La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. Likewise, due to the intense southwest wind, special vigilance should be maintained on the southwest-facing coasts and in the exposed port areas, where a worsening of the sea state may occur.
Self-protection tips
The population is urged to follow the following self protection tips of the General Directorate of Emergencies in the face of different adverse meteorological phenomena.
