Protecció Civil has issued an ES-Alert for Tuesday covering 13 regions along Catalonia’s coastal and pre-coastal strip, from Baix Camp to La Selva. Barcelonès and Vallès Occidental are among the areas at risk. Maresme is also included, with sudden heavy rain and possible local flooding expected.
Forecasts from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología and Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya point to a dangerous weather episode. Rainfall could reach 100 litres per square metre in many places, with up to 180 litres in 12 hours in some areas. The heaviest storms are likely between 6:00 and 12:00. Several regions face a rainfall-intensity risk of 5 out of 6, while an orange alert is active for Tarragona and Barcelona. Saturated ground and sudden downpours could quickly overwhelm drainage systems. EFE and 20minutos cite official AEMET reports forecasting up to 40 litres per square metre in one hour in Barcelona and Tarragona provinces. Warnings are in place until 15:00 Tuesday for Barcelona and 11:00 for parts of Tarragona.
Imma Solé, deputy director of Protecció Civil, said the ES-Alert would be sent at 22:00 on Monday to residents in the 13 most at-risk comarcas. No travel bans or school closures are planned yet. Officials urge people to stay alert, especially during peak rain hours: the warning concerns sudden, local bursts of heavy rain, not uniform rainfall across the territory. The Pla INUNCAT protocol has been activated or reinforced because of the high probability of very intense local downpours. That raises the risk of sudden flash floods, especially in coastal and pre-coastal areas, as confirmed by local reports and official statements from Protecció Civil and Meteocat.
Barcelona city has activated its Municipal Emergency Action Plan in anticipation of possible drainage failures and flash floods. Residents are advised to check roofs and clear gutters. Secure anything outdoors that could be washed away. Avoid basements and garages; move to higher floors if water rises, and keep phones and chargers close at hand, along with medicine and documents. Drivers should slow down and brake gently. Never cross flooded roads. One mistake can be fatal.
Latest updates show rainfall could exceed 90 millimetres in three hours in the hardest-hit zones. The danger rating is now 4 out of 6. Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya has extended its warning from 2:00 Tuesday to 2:00 Wednesday. The risk is of sudden, intense storms with local impacts, and southern Tarragona could receive more rain than the highest forecast levels.
Protecció Civil advises anyone caught outside to get to higher ground. Stay away from rivers and streams, and take shelter in solid buildings. Toxic products should be stored above flood level, and pets brought indoors. These precautions matter because they save lives.
Catalonia has faced similar threats before. As Russpain previously reported, sudden weather swings have repeatedly tested the region’s infrastructure and emergency teams. This time, the expected rainfall is large and is forecast to arrive quickly.
The ES-Alert system is fully active, and local authorities are ready. The next hours will test Catalonia’s plans against another round of extreme weather. Residents are urged to take the alerts seriously and act early. They should avoid underestimating a sudden Mediterranean storm.
