Last April, during the II Open Meeting, the residents of Garachico approved the summary of the previous meeting, dedicated to the presentation of the Early Warning System. This event, organized by the University of La Laguna, addressed several key points of the LIFE Garachico project, which we detail below.
Currentmeter Anchoring: Precise Wave Monitoring
One of the most relevant aspects presented was the anchoring of the current meter. This oceanographic instrument, installed 40 meters deep on the coast of Garachico, collects data every 0.2 seconds on the height, direction and period of the waves. Within the framework of the project, two anchoring campaigns have been carried out during the winters of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Additionally, data from prior to the LIFE Garachico project is being used to improve monitoring accuracy.
Wave Monitoring Cameras: Real-Time Surveillance
The installation of cameras on the Garachico seafront is another significant advance. These cameras are designed to capture images exclusively for the study, monitoring and management of possible flood events. Its main function is to characterize the water overflows that reach the avenue. Additionally, cameras located at the ends of the hull (El Emigrante and Residencia) monitor the state of the sea. Access to these images is exclusive to the LIFE Garachico project and the Municipal Police, ensuring constant and precise surveillance.
Integration and Coordination: An Effective Alert System
The data obtained from the current meter and the images captured by the cameras will be used to calibrate and validate the Early Warning System. This tool will improve predictions, offering 72-hour notices, segmented by time slots and stretches of the Garachico coastline.
The Early Warning System will be integrated into the Emergency and Security Coordination Center (CECOES) as a prediction tool. The General Directorate of Security and Emergency (DGS) and the CECOES will manage pre-alerts and alerts, generating notices to the population in case of emergency. In necessary situations, the DGS and the CECOES may issue alerts through the ES-Alert platform, whose information is available on the 1-1-2 website: ES-ALERT System.
With these advances, the LIFE Garachico project continues to strengthen its response capacity to coastal phenomena, contributing to the safety and well-being of the local community.