Overnight torrential rains disrupted the Costa Daurada, bringing severe flooding to the Baix Penedès region and causing property damage and injuries. Emergency services responded to dozens of incidents as water levels rose rapidly, leaving residents and tourists stranded or displaced.
In several municipalities, rainfall reached up to 200 litres per square metre within hours, overwhelming drainage systems and flooding roads. Families staying at local campsites were among the hardest hit, with some trapped in vehicles as water surged through low-lying areas. Xavi Peñarroya from Barcelona was one of them: his family holiday in Creixell was abruptly interrupted when their car became stuck in a flooded tunnel as they returned from a nearby concert. Local police helped the group escape through the car windows, then took them to the municipal police station.
With only two officers on duty and emergency calls surging, police resources were stretched thin. Peñarroya said officers repeatedly had to leave the station to assist other motorists trapped by rising waters. The family and other affected people were later moved to the Casal Municipal, set up as a temporary shelter for those displaced by the floods. Local authorities, including Mayor Montserrat Muñoz, faced questions about why the tunnel had not been closed to traffic and why warning alerts had not been sent to all campsite guests, despite prior notifications to site operators.
Civil Protection was called in to provide additional support, including 4x4 vehicles to handle submerged areas. In the aftermath, flooding left families unable to recover their belongings; vehicles remained submerged, while personal items were lost or scattered. Peñarroya’s car remained in the tunnel, with only its roof and partially submerged windows visible. Local children swam around the stranded vehicle, drawing attention from passersby.
A separate episode in October 2026 showed how quickly intense rainfall can create similar hazards across the region. On October 19, Protecció Civil placed 14 Catalan counties, including the Baix Penedès, under orange rainfall warnings, forecasting that showers could exceed 40 litres per square metre in 30 minutes. The agency advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay clear of waterways and flood-prone areas. The following day, as rainfall eased and the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya ended its active warnings, Protecció Civil deactivated the INUNCAT flood emergency alert. During the preceding period, 112 received 239 calls concerning 176 incidents, while Bombers handled 132 alerts.
The October warnings also showed the danger of sudden rises in watercourses. Protecció Civil deputy director Joan Ramon Cabello urged residents not to cross or even approach them, warning of “sudden surges.” The guidance reflects the risk posed by intense, short-duration rainfall: water can accumulate rapidly, overwhelm drainage capacity and turn roads, tunnels and normally manageable waterways hazardous within minutes.
Flooding on this scale is not unprecedented in the region, but the intensity and speed of the rainfall caught many off guard. The Costa Daurada, a popular destination for Spanish and international tourists, relies heavily on infrastructure to manage seasonal weather events. Rapid water accumulation in vulnerable areas such as tunnels and underpasses can quickly overwhelm local response capabilities. The incident highlights the need for emergency planning and clear communication with residents and visitors, especially during peak holiday periods, as communities across the Mediterranean contend with intense rainfall and its flood risks.
