Civil Protection has sent a EN-Alert mobile phones in much of Catalonia will be affected by the forecast of Torrential rainsAn episode categorized as level 4 out of 6, which could bring between 40 and 60 liters per square meter in just half an hour. The Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, requested maximum prudence and pay attention to official information throughout the episode.
According to the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (SMC), the rainfall will be intense but fast-pacedThey will enter from the south in the early hours, affecting the coast and pre-coastal area of ​​Tarragona in the early morning, reaching the area around Barcelona in the morning and moving towards Girona at midday.
What does the alert say and who arrived?
The emergency message warned of very heavy rainfall During the early morning hours, the alert recommends avoiding non-essential travel and staying away from rivers, ravines, and flood-prone areas. The warning, issued shortly before 22:00 PM, is part of the system EN-Alert, which allows for mass alerts in specific geographic areas, such as the alert in the Baix Penedès, through cell phone antennas.
The Interior Minister indicated that, if the situation required it, they could send a new notice early in the morning and adopt additional mobility measures. The Operational Coordination Center of Catalonia (CECAT) was reinforced to carry out a constant monitoring of the episode and facilitate quick decisions if the situation worsened.
Expected evolution of the episode
The director of the SMC, Sarai Sarroca, specified that the rain was already falling heavily in Aragon before midnight and that the first heavy showers They would reach the Terres de l'Ebre in the early hours of the morning. From 5-6 a.m. onwards, the storm would be concentrated on the Tarragona coast and pre-coastal area.
Between 8 and 10, the most active bands would move towards the regions of Barcelonawhere rainfall peaks of 60 l/m² in 30 minutes are possible, gradually moving towards Girona from midday onwards. notable gusts of wind And, in the high mountains, the first snowfall of the season at around 1.800 meters, without any exceptional character.
Authorities insist that the storms will be locally strong But they are fast, so the key is to be extra cautious just when they are at their peak and check traffic conditions before leaving.
Mobility and measures taken by the administrations
The Servei Català de Trà nsit (SCT) requested special care in sensitive sections such as the AP-7 and the N-340 in Montsià and Baix Ebre, as well as on the C-31, C-32, and C-58 metropolitan roads. With heavy rainfall, any localized accumulation could cause flooding. dangerous puddles and loss of adherence.
Barcelona activated the municipal plan for drainage insufficiency in the alert phase and recommended Check roofs, lightning rods, drains and downpipesRemove objects from the outside that could be swept away; unplug appliances exposed to the elements and keep pets indoors.
In addition, the council advised having a mobile phone with a charger on hand. essential medicationwarm clothing and personal documents, in case it is necessary to wait for improve conditions to travel safely.
Civil Protection reminded everyone that if the car is parked in a stream or flood-prone area, the safest thing to do is do not try to move it once the episode has started, to avoid unnecessary risk situations.
Impact and provisional assessment
Before midnight, 112 had received around a hundred calls due to incidents related to the first rainfall. During the morning, firefighters responded to hundreds of ads (with about twenty rescues of people) with no injuries reported, according to data released by the Generalitat.
A reduction of 22.000 vehicles compared to a typical day, a factor that, according to the Interior Ministry, helped minimize incidents. The rains left more than 50 l/m² in areas of Vallès Oriental and Ribera d'Ebre. The weather forced cancel dozens of flights and several university campuses —including UAB and UPF— They suspended activity during part of the day.
In the early afternoon, with the loss of intensity And as the front shifted, the Generalitat deactivated the Inuncat plan alert, maintaining vigilance for possible residual effects in Low points and drains saturated.
Debate on the use of ES-Alert
The nighttime posting of the notice reopened the debate about when and how Activate these notifications. The deputy director of Civil Protection, Imma Solé, defended their usefulness in allowing citizens to plan ahead and indicated that work is underway on less intrusive alerts (softer sound warnings) for scenarios where the risk is not imminent.
Since its launch in 2022, in Catalonia, [number of] have been sent 136 ES-Alert messages57 for forest fires, 31 for rain and floods, 6 for chemical risk, 2 for the chemical sector in Tarragona, and 40 drills. The objective remains prioritize self-protection when there is a potential danger to life.
Self-protection tips for heavy rain
- Avoid travel during peak rainfall and check traffic and weather before heading out.
- Stay away from streams, ravines, and underground passages.Do not cross flooded areas on foot or by vehicle.
- Remove objects from the exterior that can be swept away and check drains in homes and premises.
- Have your mobile phone and charger handy.essential medication, warm clothing, and documentation.
- If you park in flood-prone areasDo not attempt to move the car in heavy rain.
With an episode of intense and rapidly advancing showers, the combination of reliable information, caution Mobility and basic self-protection measures are the best guarantee to reduce risks while rain bands cross the territory.
