A heavy storm is making its way to the Canary Islands and is expected to bring severe rainfall over the weekend. Weather specialist Jörg Kachelmann warns that the rain could be of an unprecedented intensity, saying the amounts are “unseen in a short time in human history”. From Friday through Sunday, people is advised to stay in safe shelters, especially in western La Palma and the southern parts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

The same storm will also affect the popular holiday destination of Madeira. The rain is likely to continue for several days, easing only in the following week. In the mountainous regions, the downpour could trigger landslides and mudslides, and flooding is expected in many areas.