Emergency crews in Olivella, Barcelona, found the body of a man whose car was swept away by a sudden flood. The search began late Wednesday night and ended early the following morning, when the man was found about 500 meters from the last place his car was seen. Police confirmed he was the driver. Firefighters and an underwater rescue team joined the search, while drones were also deployed. Official statements said the man was carried away by the floodwaters with his car, as several independent media outlets reported.
The incident began when a witness called authorities at 23:03 to report a car being swept off the road by floodwaters in the Garraf area. Eleven fire service units, including the GRAESub underwater team, responded. The car was found first, but the driver remained missing until the overnight search found him. Early reports also mentioned a possible search for a woman in Olivella, reflecting the confusion as the situation changed rapidly during the first hours of the emergency.
Protecció Civil sent ES-Alert warnings to multiple districts, including Barcelonès, Maresme, Baix Llobregat, Garraf and Penedès, because of the risk of severe rain, hail up to 2 cm and wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h.
Severe weather warnings were already in place. The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya issued its highest-level alert for violent storms, while the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) declared a red alert for torrential rain along the Barcelona coast. Rainfall topped 90 liters per square meter in less than an hour, triggering flash floods and major disruption. Roads including the B-20 (Ronda de Dalt) in Santa Coloma de Gramenet were closed, while other highways saw flooding and power cuts. AEMET and Meteocat issued the region’s highest-risk alerts.
Authorities have not reported other deaths or missing people linked to the storm. The risk remains high: Civil Protection warned that hailstones larger than 2 centimeters and wind gusts over 90 kilometers per hour could hit several Barcelona districts in the coming hours. Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official instructions. Anyone in danger should call 112. The storm has caused widespread flooding and power outages across the Barcelona metropolitan area, with road closures and incidents in Olivella as well.
Spain has faced repeated problems with extreme weather in recent years. As reported earlier, major investments have been made to strengthen flood defenses in other vulnerable regions. The events in Olivella highlight Catalonia’s exposure to sudden, violent storms and the need for a rapid emergency response.
Storm warnings remained active until late Wednesday, and the situation in Barcelona and Girona was still tense. Torrential rain, blocked roads and power cuts show the risks residents face during these weather events. The emergency response in Olivella was swift, but severe weather can still prove deadly. Residents are urged to stay alert and follow safety advice, taking official warnings seriously as the region continues to deal with extreme weather.
