Severe storms swept across parts of Catalonia on Thursday, August 20, prompting Civil Protection of the Generalitat to activate the Inuncat pre-alert. The measure remained in effect through Saturday as local authorities prepared for further severe weather, including heavy rain, hail, and wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h. The first impressive impacts were reported in the province of Barcelona, with Vallès Occidental among the hardest hit.
Between 16:00 and 17:00, firefighters received around 50 emergency calls related to the sudden downpour. Most involved fallen trees, damage to urban furniture, or minor flooding. Intense rainfall and hail made roads and public spaces hazardous. Emergency teams cleared debris and secured affected areas.
The Catalan Meteorological Service issued a violent-weather warning for the afternoon, covering the comarcas of Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, Baix Llobregat, Anoia, Alt Penedès, Bages, and Lluçanès. Wind gusts surpassed 90 km/h in these areas, while hail and flash flooding added to the disruption. The storm also affected the Tarragonès region, where red flags were raised on most beaches because of dangerous sea conditions.
Authorities urged residents to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel during storms. A separate episode from October 17 to 19 showed how Catalonia’s civil-protection system can escalate its response: Protecció Civil sent two ES-Alert warnings to seven comarques under red rainfall alerts, advising people to limit travel and outdoor activities and stay away from flood-prone areas. During that later episode, Bombers de la Generalitat received 117 emergency notices, including reports of fallen trees and vehicles affected by floodwater. That figure relates to the October storms, not the August event described here. The response to the August incidents also recalls the challenges posed by other natural emergencies in Spain, including the recent wildfire crisis in Castellón, as detailed in this report on mass evacuations and firefighting efforts.
Storm-related risks recur in Catalonia, especially during transitional seasons when weather patterns can shift abruptly. The Inuncat plan coordinates civil-protection authorities, firefighters, and meteorological services. During the separate October rainfall emergency, Protecció Civil’s mobile alerts advised people to avoid flood-prone areas and contact 112 when necessary. The August storm showed why preparedness and swift action matter, particularly in areas exposed to flooding and strong winds, as well as coastal hazards.
