Catalonia suspends classes and public activities in five regions as torrential rain triggers a red alert. Authorities urge residents to stay home and prepare for major disruption.
Schools, universities, and outdoor sports will be closed across five Catalan comarcas on Wednesday as the Generalitat orders a rare halt to daily routines. The shutdown, prompted by a red alert for extreme rainfall, affects Baix Llobregat, Vallès Occidental, Garraf, Alt Penedès, and Baix Penedès. From 7:00 to 17:00, all non-essential movement and activities are suspended. Official statements reported by Spanish media confirm that non-urgent healthcare services and day centers for the elderly and mentally disabled are also closed for the day.
The decision follows a warning from meteorological services, which raised the risk level to five out of six and cautioned about possible flooding and pressure on infrastructure. Interior Minister Núria Parlon announced the measures at a press briefing, citing the need to protect residents from the expected heavy rain. Meteocat warned of rainfall exceeding 40 mm in 30 minutes, with thunderstorms and localized hazards possible. The INUNCAT emergency plan was activated after a technical committee meeting.
Barcelona separately activated its municipal flood response plan, with city authorities warning of drainage risks and advising residents to disconnect electrical appliances and secure balconies and yards.
Barcelona is preparing for the storm as well. Civil Protection has activated the Municipal Emergency Action Plan, warning of possible drainage failures and urging people to secure rooftops, clear gutters, and remove loose objects. The city council also recommends disconnecting electrical devices, bringing pets indoors, and keeping essentials like medication, warm clothing, and documents close at hand. These steps are part of a coordinated effort between the Generalitat and emergency services to limit property damage and injuries, according to Europa Press and other outlets.
Residents in the affected areas will receive an Es-Alert notification on their phones with details on restrictions and safety advice. Authorities are asking everyone to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and to work from home if possible. For those who must drive, the advice is to slow down, brake gently, keep safe distances, and avoid flood-prone routes. The government says the Es-Alert system will be used to send real-time safety information directly to people in the affected comarcas.
The disruption goes beyond schools and healthcare. All outdoor sports are suspended, and day centers for vulnerable groups will stay closed. The Generalitat’s approach is clear: reduce exposure, lower risk, and keep people informed through real-time alerts. This level of intervention is unusual and shows how serious the weather threat is.
The emergency measures were decided after a session of the INUNCAT technical committee, highlighting a high level of coordination between the Generalitat and emergency response services. Authorities have also emphasized the need for remote work and avoiding unnecessary travel due to the risk of flooding and drainage failures.
In recent weeks, storms have battered northern Spain, with heavy rainfall in Galicia leading to similar emergency steps. Now, Catalonia faces its own challenge as authorities work to prevent chaos and keep people safe.
The Generalitat’s rapid response—telework mandates, public service closures, and targeted alerts—reflects a shift in how regional governments handle climate-driven weather extremes. These measures will disrupt daily life for thousands, but officials say the alternative—leaving people exposed to dangerous conditions—would be far worse. For now, public safety comes first, and authorities are acting quickly to limit the impact of the storm.
