The Generalitat has restricted mobility in 20 counties and suspended outdoor activities due to the forecast of a Mediterranean mini-hurricane that could leave 200 litres per square metre in six hours. In Barcelona and l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, over 100 litres have already been recorded.
The Generalitat has limited mobility in 20 Catalan counties until 14:00 hours on Sunday due to the rainstorm, which since 20:00 hours on Saturday has been particularly intense in Barcelona and in municipalities of the metropolitan area such as l'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Cornellà de Llobregat, with records exceeding 100 litres per square metre, according to rtve.es.
The Zona Universitaria station in Barcelona has accumulated 102.8 litres per square metre in the last two hours. In Raval, 87 litres have been recorded, and in El Prat de Llobregat, 77.9 litres.
Torrential rains have flooded streets in l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, where cars were struggling to move and containers were displaced by the water. The flooding has also forced the evacuation of the primary care emergency centre (CUAP) Pura Fernández due to leaks.
The mayor of l'Hospitalet, David Quirós, explained that emergencies will be redirected to neighbouring municipalities.
"Emergencies will be redirected to neighbouring municipalities"
In Barcelona, the fall of a large tree has forced the closure of the carretera de l'Arrabassada (BP-1417). The C-32 is also closed at the height of Esplugues de Llobregat in the direction of the Llobregat junction due to flooding.
The Barcelona metro network is operating with disruptions on several lines and will only provide service until midnight. Water leaks have been reported at the Sants station.
The flow of the Llobregat river has surged: the water treatment station in Sant Joan Despí recorded 165 cubic metres per second, fifteen times more than in the morning. In Sant Quintí de Mediona, 230 cubic metres per second have been measured.
Civil Protection has sent an ES Alert message to mobile phones in the coastal and pre-coastal counties of Catalonia, except for Terres de l'Ebre, as well as all counties in Girona and Moianès. The alert affects 20 counties, of which 17 are on red alert: Alt and Baix Empordà, Pla de l'Estany, Garrotxa, Gironès, Selva, Maresme, Vallès Oriental and Occidental, Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès, Alt Camp, Tarragonès, and Baix Camp. On Sunday, it will extend to Moianès, Osona, and Ripollès.
The deputy director general of coordination and emergency management at Civil Protection, Imma Soler, has urged to restrict "activities that involve mobility" until Sunday at 14:00 hours.
"Activities that involve mobility"
The Generalitat has suspended activities in natural environments, sports, and cultural events, as well as markets, fairs, and other outdoor activities. Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat has suspended the operation of Rodalies, Regional, and Medium Distance services throughout the Barcelona area until 14:00 hours on Sunday.
The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, has called for "maximum caution in light of the weather forecasts" and warned that "a Mediterranean mini-hurricane could form in Catalonia."
"Always follow the instructions and recommendations of emergency services: avoid unnecessary travel, do not approach rivers, streams, and ravines, and do not park in flood-prone areas"
The director of the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (Meteocat), Sarai Sarroca, and the head of forecasting, Santi Segalà, have explained that models indicate a convective mesoscale system (CMS) that could leave 200 litres per square metre in six hours in some areas. The phenomenon will affect the coastal and pre-coastal areas of Tarragona, Barcelona, and Girona, and on Sunday it could extend to the interior of Girona.
In light of this scenario, authorities recommend avoiding unnecessary travel, not approaching rivers, streams, and ravines, and not parking in flood-prone areas. The mobility restriction remains in place until 14:00 hours on Sunday.
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