Flooded streets while the rain does not cease: the Government asks for prudence in the Terres de l'Ebre

BarcelonaHeavy downpours are hitting the Terres de l'Ebre region this early morning. Around 11 p.m., heavy showers with thunderstorms reactivated in the Baix Ebre and Montsià regions, and there are already streets flooded by water and full ravines. In just one hour, the Fire Department has registered around twenty alerts for flooding, the majority in Tortosa, where images of flooded streets are already beginning to be seen. These images are repeating in towns like Santa Bàrbara. In fact, there are about 4,300 users without electricity supply in Baix Ebre. For the moment, according to Civil Protection sources, there have been no significant incidents. Above all, there is concern about the ravines of Serra de Cardós and Gaviots and the Galera ravine. The first road closures due to flooding have also been registered, such as on the C-12 in Tortosa.

Although this Wednesday morning it was expected that the worst-case scenario for heavy rain would be in the afternoon, the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (Meteocat) has finally shifted this maximum red alert, with a danger level of 5 out of 6, to start from midnight. The epicenter is in the Terres de l'Ebre region, where rainfall could result in downpours exceeding 40 liters per square meter in just half an hour. In fact, Civil Protection has sent three ES-Alerts in one day, the first in Tarragona at noon, the second in the Ebre in the afternoon, and finally, a last one in the evening warning that the rains would last until this Friday. The latest alert was for the regions of Montsià, Baix Ebre, Ribera d'Ebre, and Baix Camp.

The Minister of Interior and Public Security, Núria Parlon, has asked the public for “maximum caution and prudence” in light of this episode and to remain “alert” to warnings. She said this during a press conference from the CECAT (Operational Coordination Center of Catalonia), which will be active all night monitoring the heavy rains. During the day, before 10:00 PM, the Generalitat Fire Department handled about fifty reports due to the rains across the country and the 112 emergency service received 190 calls, none of them involving a notable incident, as reported by Imma Solé, deputy director of Civil Protection.

In parallel, one person had to be taken to a hospital this Thursday following the rain episode. According to Civil Protection, the person suffered injuries of a less serious nature. The Government also indicates that the Medical Emergency System (SEM) received thirteen alerts with a total of twelve people affected.

First cancellations

Furthermore, in view of the forecast that heavy rains will continue to be intense in the south of the country this Friday, up to nine municipalities in Montsià and Baix Ebre have suspended classes. Specifically, there will be no school in all towns in the Montsià region –Alcanar, Amposta, Freginals, la Ràpita, Mas de Barberans, Masdenverge, Santa Bàrbara– and in Deltebre and Tortosa. In these areas, municipal facilities and spaces have also been closed as a preventive measure.

In fact, the first significant rainfall records have already arrived: the storm has left up to 80 litres of water per square metre on the island of Buda, in the Ebro Delta, 68 litres in Bisbal del Penedès (Baix Penedès), and 56 in Blancafort (Conca de Barberà). The director of the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, Sarai Sarroca, explained that after a few hours of more local and disconnected precipitation, the situation will intensify again from midnight or two in the morning. In a media briefing, the head of forecasting at Meteocat, Santi Segalà, warned that the storms may be accompanied by violent weather phenomena, such as tornadoes, waterspouts or strong gusts of wind.

Suspensions also at Renfe

The heavy rains, once again, are also affecting mobility. Renfe has already announced that it is suspending several long-distance trains on the Mediterranean corridor starting at six in the evening this Thursday due to the forecast of heavy rain between Catalonia and Valencia. Specifically, the Alvia from Cordoba to Barcelona with arrival at 8:51 PM at Sants will be terminated in Valencia, while three Euromed and one Intercity trains between the two autonomous communities have been suspended. Furthermore, the Avant Express departing from Barcelona Sants at 5:50 PM with Tortosa as its destination will end its journey at Camp de Tarragona. The departure of tomorrow's Avant Express will take place from that station at 7:12 AM instead of departing from Tortosa.

Also, starting at 6:00 PM, two regional trains may see their circulation suspended for part of the journey due to the storm. These are the trains on the R16 line of Rodalies de Catalunya departing from Barcelona Estació de França with Tortosa as their destination at 7:15 PM and 8:45 PM. Depending on weather conditions, both trains may end their journey in Tarragona.

The Valencian Community, on red alert

The Valencian Country is also being a victim of the heavy downpours. The rains that have fallen so far in Castelló have left accumulations of more than 100 l/m2 and have led the Valencian Generalitat to send three ES-Alerts. The coming hours, however, are also forecast to be complicated.

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has raised the weather warning to red starting at 6 p.m. for rain on the coast and in the northern interior of Castellón and on the coast of Valencia, in anticipation of 90 liters per square meter accumulating in one hour and up to 250 liters in 12 hours. Furthermore, fifty municipalities have suspended classes this morning, including some of the towns most affected by the DANA two years ago, and more are expected to join throughout the coming hours as the rainfall increases.