Monday morning in southern Catalonia began with efforts to assess the aftermath of the devastating Storm Alicia. Overnight, the streets of towns and villages were covered with a thick layer of mud, and the roads were littered with piles of stones and debris. Local residents have yet to recover from the ordeal, as the storm raged with particular intensity on Sunday evening.
As a result of the heavy rains, rivers and ravines overflowed, cutting off several communities. For example, Ulldecona was left completely isolated, while in Godall, Santa Bàrbara, la Galera, and la Ràpita, streets turned into raging torrents. On the AP7 highway near Freginals, around two thousand vehicles became stranded in the water, and more than a thousand people had to seek shelter in sports facilities and temporary assistance centers.
Catalan authorities note that despite an overwhelming number of emergency calls and rescue operations, there were no casualties or missing persons. Nevertheless, the damage was significant: flooded fields, destroyed roads, and damaged vehicles. In some areas, the highest level of alert was declared, and residents received messages advising them to stay indoors and keep away from low-lying areas.
Train service between Barcelona and Valencia has been completely suspended, and traffic on the AP7 highway near Amposta is blocked. Issues persist on other roads as well, including the C12, N340, and several local routes. On Monday, classes were canceled in Montsià, as well as in Baix Ebre, Ribera d’Ebre, Terra Alta, and Baix Camp. Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) has also temporarily closed, and all non-urgent appointments at medical facilities have been postponed.
Catalonia’s regional president Salvador Illa canceled all scheduled events and traveled to the affected areas to coordinate emergency response efforts. The southern part of Tarragona province remains under an orange alert: meteorologists warn that more storms could bring up to 40 liters of rainfall per hour. The storm front is expected to move toward the coasts of Barcelona and Girona during the day.
