Classes suspended and a missing person in the Girona region: "It's a day for people to stay home"
Girona recommends closing businesses around the Onyar River, and firefighters are searching for a man who was reportedly swept away in his car by the stream in Palau-sator.
GironaThe storm that has battered much of Catalonia has hit the far northeast of the region particularly hard, with accumulated rainfall exceeding 100 liters per square meter in a single day. Civil Protection has sent an alert to mobile phones in the municipalities of Alt and Baix Empordà, La Selva, and Gironès, due to the risk of overflowing rivers and streams and flooding. The Onyar and Daró rivers are flowing with the same or even greater volume in Girona and La Bisbal d'Empordà than during the storm. GloryIn January 2020, the last major episode of rain hit the Principality. Classes and sporting activities have been suspended, several roads have been closed, and firefighters are searching for a man who was reportedly swept away in his car by the stream in Palau-Sator. Five crews are on the scene, including the underwater unit, after receiving a call at 7:30 a.m. High-speed rail service between Girona and Figueres has also been suspended due to water accumulation on the tracks, and commuter rail service between Caldes de Malavella and Girona is interrupted in one direction due to a fallen tree. There are delays of more than 30 minutes because trains have to use only one track. The Girona City Council recommends closing all businesses along the right bank of the Onyar River and in the Mercadal neighborhood due to the risk of flooding. Following the meeting of the Emergency Committee, which also included representatives from the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), and the Fire Department, it was acknowledged that there is a "situation of uncertainty" regarding what might happen. "Today is a day for people to stay home," said the mayor of Girona, Lluc Salellas, at an emergency press conference.
When asked if it was an excessive measure, the mayor pointed out that the "uncertain" situation necessitates extreme caution, and since classes have been suspended, "the recommendation to close private businesses on the ground floor" makes sense. "Neither educational nor commercial activities," he asserted. Regarding the possibility of the Ter River overflowing, as happened with Storm Gloria, he stated that "there's no need to suffer." "There's more room for growth in the Ter than in the Onyar," he concluded.
The Onyar, overflowing
"Since the storm Glory "I hadn't seen so much water," says Beth, a resident of Girona, while paraphrasing the song by Raimon. In my country, the rain doesn't know how to rain.Dozens of onlookers couldn't resist approaching the banks of the Onyar River this morning, despite warnings from both Civil Protection and the Girona City Council to stay away from rivers due to the risk of flooding. The Onyar was running high after a night of continuous rain, with the forecast predicting it wouldn't let up until early afternoon. The picturesque image of colorful houses and the cathedral reflected in the river this Tuesday has been transformed into a brown confluence. Residents of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, La Selva, and Gironès received the ES-Alert this morning, informing them of the flood risk and the decision to suspend classes, sports and extracurricular activities, and those at residences and day centers in the four counties. The University of Girona (UdG) has also suspended academic activity and recommended that its staff work remotely whenever possible.
It's raining on already wet ground in Girona, and especially in the Alt Empordà region. The Onyar River is offering a picture like the one from the storm. GloryThe Daró River is flowing even higher: 500 m³/s at the La Bisbal level, a figure higher than that reached in January 2020 (430 m³/s). The La Bisbal City Council has issued a call for caution and advised against travel. In Girona, the Emergency Committee is meeting and is closely monitoring the rising Onyar River.
Prevention efforts
Over the past week, Girona City Council has been preparing for the expected rise of the Onyar River. Working against the clock, they have removed the sediment accumulated beneath the Plaça Catalunya platform, which covers the river. They have also cleaned drains after more than 100 liters per square meter of rain fell in 24 hours. All of this, combined with the rise of the Ter River due to the need to clear the Pasteral canal, which was at capacity, before this storm, has led to flooding of the riverbeds near the Fontajau neighborhood even before the rain started. However, so far there have been few traffic disruptions.
"We must be very alert and vigilant," said Marta Cassany, Director General of Civil Protection, in an interview with Catalunya Ràdio. She identified the Daró, Onyar, and Ter rivers as the most susceptible to flooding. She urged people to avoid traveling to the affected municipalities—at least until 5:00 p.m.—and, above all, to stay away from riverbanks. "Finally, if water enters your home, do not go down to basements; go up to upper floors," she added.
Access to the Girona Nord exit of the AP-7 is closed
Heavy rainfall has forced several road closures. Access to the Girona North exit and entrance of the AP-7 motorway near the town of Salt has been cut off due to flooding, meaning the road leading to Santa Caterina Hospital is impassable. The C-252 between Vilabertran and Peralada, the GI-644 in Forallac, and the GIV-6546 in Palafrugell are also closed. The Girona City Council has reported the closure of the old Creueta bridge, the Sant Feliu road near the cemetery, and Riera de Can Camaret street.