Strengthening the resilience of Macaronesia to Atlantic storms
The islands of Macaronesia are becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme coastal flooding caused by powerful Atlantic storms. As climate change exacerbates these challenges, the European Commission’s LIFE Garachico project is supporting local communities in strengthening the region’s resilience to flooding and storm surges.
One of the project’s key initiatives is an early warning system for Garachico, a town on the northern coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 11 October 2024. The system alerts residents up to 72 hours before severe weather events. In addition to this, the project has introduced innovative flood-prevention measures, including "anti-impact" benches along the shore, which act as barriers against incoming waves. The local community has also been supported in developing protocols for flood management and emergency response.
The knowledge gained from this initiative will be shared across other parts of Macaronesia, ensuring that more communities are better prepared for the impacts of climate change.
Data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites enables precise and frequent monitoring of wind patterns and their effects on coastal regions. Sentinel data is also useful for mapping flooded areas and supporting policymakers and local communities in planning for a more resilient future.
