More than one hundred pigeons were found dead at the Port de Tarragona after a powerful storm hit southwestern Catalonia on Monday afternoon. Intense rain and hail flooded major avenues in Tarragona and disrupted city life. Videos shared by Catalan Civil Protection and on social media showed the downpour and its immediate impact.
By 19:00, the 112 emergency line had logged 373 weather-related calls, most from Tarragona and nearby areas. Reports described storm damage across the area, including fallen trees and local flooding, while strong winds and hail damaged power lines. Between 18:30 and 19:30, Bombers de la Generalitat attended 162 incidents: 141 in Tarragona province, including 105 within the city.
The storm was part of a wider spell of severe weather across Catalonia. The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya identified heightened risk in the Tarragonès, with Alt Camp and Baix Camp also in the forecast, as the system moved from southern Catalonia toward Barcelona and Girona. Forecast thresholds were more than 40 litres of rain per square metre in 30 minutes; the three-hour threshold was more than 60 litres, while the 24-hour threshold locally exceeded 100 litres. These were forecast thresholds, not reported rainfall totals.
Forecasters also warned of rough coastal conditions, with northeast winds reaching force 7 and waves generally two to three metres high. Catalan Civil Protection urged people to exercise caution while the alerts remained in force, as intense downpours could develop over short periods. On Monday, ten autonomous communities had active weather alerts. Catalonia was under an orange warning for heavy rain and storms, as were Aragón and the Balearic Islands. In Catalonia, the orange alert began around midday and was expected to remain in force until the end of the day.
This episode follows a series of extreme weather events in the region. Earlier this year, severe overnight storms in Tarragona led to injuries, evacuations and major transport disruptions, as detailed in a previous report on critical flooding and emergency responses. The recurrence of such incidents shows how vulnerable Catalonia’s coastal areas are to sudden, intense weather changes.
Local authorities urge residents to follow official updates and avoid unnecessary travel during active alerts. The Port de Tarragona is a basic infrastructure hub, and the deaths of the pigeons show how severe weather can affect wildlife alongside people and property.
