Catalonia on maximum alert due to torrential rains and risk of flooding

Since this Saturday afternoon, Catalonia has been facing an exceptional meteorological episode, with torrential rains, risk of flooding, strong winds and the possible formation of a mini Mediterranean hurricane. Meteocat has raised the danger level to 6 out of 6 and Civil Protection has activated the Inuncat plan in the emergency phase.

The rainfall is already affecting the coast and pre-coastal, but the episode will intensify from 6:00 p.m. The most critical period is expected between 8:00 p.m. this Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, with a special incidence during the night and early morning.

Meteocat maintains the rain intensity warnings from 8:00 a.m. on Saturday to 2:00 a.m. on Monday, and the accumulation warning from 8:00 p.m. on Saturday to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. The situation should begin to ease during Sunday afternoon.

The forecasts point to very intense and locally stationary rainfall. In some points, 40 liters per square meter may be exceeded in 30 minutes, 90 liters in three hours and more than 200 liters in six hours, according to Protecció Civil, Meteocat and Aemet.

The Aemet has activated red warnings – extraordinary danger – in areas of Barcelona and Girona, with a possible risk of flooding and floods. The storm can also be accompanied by hail, wind gusts of 90 to 120 kilometers per hour, tornadoes and sea waves on the coast.

Meteocat models point to the formation of a mesoscale convective system (MCS), an organized storm structure capable of releasing large amounts of water for hours. This system could acquire characteristics of a small Mediterranean cyclone, known as a medicane or mini-Mediterranean hurricane.

It is not guaranteed that a medicán will be consolidated: neither Meteocat nor Aemet have confirmed this. But the organization of the storms off the Catalan coast can maintain very intense rainfall and generate violent winds, especially in Barcelona and Girona.

The Government has limited non-essential mobility in 20 regions with a red notice between 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday: Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Alt Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Garraf, Garrotxa, Gironès, Pla de l'Estany, Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, Maresme, Selva, Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Baix Penedès, Osona, Ripollès, Tarragonès and Moianès.

Protecció Civil will send an ES-Alert message to mobile phones in the affected areas to report the situation and preventive measures. The alert affects the Catalan coast and pre-coast, except for Terres de l'Ebre, as well as all the regions of Girona and Moianès.

During the period of restrictions, the Government suspends activities in the natural environment, urban parks and gardens, sports, cultural, leisure and recreation activities, as well as markets, fairs and other commercial or public outdoor activities. It also asks for teleworking when possible and suspends educational activity.

The demonstration called this afternoon by the Sindicat de Llogateres between Barcelona and l'Hospitalet de Llobregat has been postponed to Monday. The Concurs de Castells de Tarragona, scheduled this weekend, is also conditioned by the restrictions.

The episode has already forced the closure of the Liceu station platform on L3 in the Zona Universitària direction, so the trains do not stop at that stop. TMB has also closed accesses in Urquinaona, Marina, Catalunya and Can Cuiàs.

Barcelona City Council has elevated its Municipal Emergency Action Plan (PAM) to the emergency phase due to the risk that the drainage network will not absorb the planned volume of water. The council recommends checking drains and downspouts, removing objects from the outside, disconnecting electrical appliances and not crossing flooded areas.

The authorities ask to avoid any non-essential travel, especially between tonight and noon on Sunday. They also recommend not approaching rivers, streams, ravines or underpasses, and never crossing flooded areas, either on foot or by vehicle.

In the event of a violent storm, Civil Protection advises to seek shelter immediately and move away from windows, trees, fragile structures and areas exposed to the wind. The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, has asked to respect official instructions and has warned that this is a “very complex” situation.