Barcelona activates emergency due to rain and storms

Barcelona City Council has activated the emergency due to rain and storms. Civil Protection urges residents to take precautions and follow safety recommendations.

The Barcelona City Council has activated the emergency due to rain and storms. This measure comes after meteorological services warned of the arrival of a period of intense rainfall in the city.

In light of this situation, the council has issued a series of recommendations for citizens on how to act both at home and on the street or in the car. The aim is to reduce the risks associated with flooding and travel in flood-prone areas.

Inside homes, it is recommended to close doors and windows, check roofs, lightning rods, drains, and downspouts, and remove accumulations of rubbish. Electrical appliances should also be disconnected, and outdoor furniture or objects that could be swept away by water should be brought inside. Additionally, toxic products should be stored out of reach of water, pets should be brought indoors, and a mobile phone with charger, essential medications, warm clothing, and personal documents should be kept handy.

If water begins to enter the house, the main electricity switch should be turned off, and residents should not go down to flood-prone areas such as basements or garages. If the building is not safe, residents should leave, close the door, and head to a higher point in the area.

On the street, the main recommendation is to seek shelter in a safe building and securely close doors and windows. Crossing torrents, streams, underground passages, or areas that could flood, whether on foot or by car, should be avoided, as this is where most deaths occur. It is better to wait or find an alternative route.

While driving, it is advised to moderate speed, brake gently, and stop if necessary. Flooded areas should not be crossed, and vehicles should not be parked in torrents or flood-prone areas, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. If the car becomes immobilised by water, the water level rises too high on the road, or water reaches the vehicle's axle, it should be abandoned and the driver should move to higher ground.

All these safety recommendations are available on the Barcelona Firefighters website, where advice on how to act in the face of natural risks is detailed.

"Do not cross torrents, streams, underground passages, or areas that can flood, whether on foot or by car, because this is where most deaths occur. It is better to wait or find an alternative route."

The emergency due to rain and storms remains active as long as the meteorological episode lasts. Residents of Barcelona are advised to follow the instructions of emergency services and check updates through official channels.