On Tuesday, a violent storm flooded streets in Barcelona and nearby towns, triggering Catalonia’s highest weather alert. AEMET and Meteocat meteorologists warned that up to 180 liters of rain per square meter could fall in just 12 hours, enough to overwhelm city drains. The red alert covered Barcelona and surrounding areas.
In central Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia stood beneath dark skies as the metro struggled. Liceu station was hit hard: water leaked onto platforms, leaving commuters to face delays and closures. In Nou Barris, a woman tried to push her motorcycle through a flooded street. Similar scenes unfolded across the city as drains failed to keep pace. Civil Protection officials, following guidance from Catalonia’s emergency services, warned of flash floods and overflowing rivers. Coastal and pre-coastal zones were also at risk.
The official Es-Alert urged residents of Alt Penedès, Anoia, and Baix Llobregat to stay indoors, leave vehicles where they were, and avoid basements during the storm’s peak.
Shops and cafes were also hit. Workers at one central café scrambled to bail out water spreading across the floor while trying to keep the business open. Umbrellas filled the streets. In Terrassa, a man tried to shield himself from the rain; elsewhere, people waded through water covering sidewalks. Authorities issued the first warnings the night before, telling the public to expect heavy rain from September 28. Catalan Civil Protection said the most dangerous hours would come on the morning of the 29th.
Outside Barcelona, the Riera de Rubí rose close to the Generalitat’s railway tracks, putting transport at risk. By the morning of September 29, rivers including the Anoia and Riera de Rubí had reached dangerous levels, and water was nearing railway lines near Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. Civil Protection sent Es-Alert messages to residents in nine of Catalonia’s largest counties, urging caution without imposing a travel ban. As the weather shifted and the hardest-hit areas remained uncertain, officials called for “great caution.” They advised people to stay put and await further instructions; no blanket travel ban was in place.
Flooding threatened coastal and pre-coastal towns beyond Barcelona, with more flooding and possible landslides a concern. Heavy rain in densely built-up areas heightened the risk of flash floods and pressure on roads and railways. Urban and suburban transport were both affected: metro stations flooded, and some roads closed temporarily. Catalan emergency services and independent reports provided these details. The storm formed part of a broader front affecting much of eastern Spain, where warnings and restrictions also affected neighboring coastal areas. Reports citing AEMET and Meteocat described Catalonia’s situation as the most acute that day.
Spain has faced repeated extreme weather this year, and recent reports on storm alerts reflect the pattern. Rain continues to fall in Catalonia.
