What happened on the LP-3?

On Thursday, 22 October 2026, more rocks and debris came loose on the LP-3 after heavy rain. The road runs over La Cumbre, the island's central mountain range.

Staff from the Cabildo de La Palma, the island government, cleared the obstacles while traffic was still moving. The road was then passable again, as TV La Palma reported.

The report did not mention a full closure of the LP-3. No injuries or property damage were reported either.

The LP-3 is one of the main links between eastern and western La Palma. Drivers heading from Santa Cruz de La Palma to the west often use exactly this route.

Which warning is in force for La Palma?

The Dirección General de Emergencias of the Gobierno de Canarias issued a rain warning for eastern La Palma from 00:00 on 22 October 2026. Locally heavy showers and thunderstorms were expected.

The authority forecast up to 30 millimetres of rain per hour. Up to 100 millimetres could fall within twelve hours.

For the summits and western La Palma: up to 15 millimetres of rain per hour (AEMET).

The La Galga station in Puntallana had already recorded 85 litres per square metre by 06:00 on 22 October. In San Andrés y Sauces the figure was 72.6 litres per square metre, as RTVC reported.

What does this mean for drivers and holidaymakers?

For residents, debris, flooding and short-notice traffic disruption can affect links between municipalities. Roads on slopes and near barrancos, the Canarian ravines, are usually the worst affected.

Visitors and commuters should check the current state of island roads before every journey. The authorities advise sticking to main roads and avoiding side roads and forest tracks.

This advice applies explicitly to all road users. No special rules or charges for residents, foreigners or tourists have been announced.

Anyone driving a hire car should take particular care after heavy rain. Debris can slide onto the carriageway even hours after a shower.

Which other roads are still at risk?

The available reports do not name any other roads currently blocked. But further landslides remain possible because of the continuing rain risk.

Experience from previous rainfall shows that roads in the medianías, the mid-altitude areas, are particularly affected. Access roads to the Cumbre summits and forest tracks are also vulnerable.

In December 2024 there were already small landslides on the LP-3 beyond the Mirador de La Cumbre. The Cabildo also closed the LP-4 to the Roque de los Muchachos because of snow at that time.

The authorities advise people not to stand under unstable slopes or steep walls. In an emergency, call 112.

What remains unclear?

The exact duration of possible disruption and any further affected roads remain unclear. Final repair costs had also not been published by Friday.

The Cabildo de La Palma is clearing reported obstacles on an ongoing basis. The island government did not give a specific time for the end of the clearance work.

It is equally unclear whether the rain warning will be extended or widened. The Dirección General de Emergencias adjusts its warning levels according to the weather situation.

The authorities advise waiting for further official traffic notices and warnings. The Gobierno de Canarias publishes current information on its warning pages.