Recommendations for the windstorm: what can you do at home, outdoors and on the road?

BarcelonaThis Thursday, wind gusts exceeding 108 km/h are expected across Catalonia, particularly in the Barcelona and Central Catalonia regions. This is a dangerous phenomenon, and therefore the Catalan government is urging citizens to take extreme precautions, avoid unnecessary travel, and work remotely whenever possible. Below are some recommendations from Civil Protection on what to do in this situation.

How should we act during a severe windstorm?

At home

• Close and secure doors, windows, and awnings.
• Remove flowerpots or other non-static objects from facades and terraces that may fall onto public roads.
• Collect clothes from clotheslines to prevent them from causing accidents if they fall onto the street.
• Lower the blinds completely and, if they are corded, secure them tightly.
• Do not climb to high places exposed to the wind, such as rooftops, scaffolding, and other structures.

Abroad

• Avoid walking in wooded areas, parks, and gardens. It's best to stay away from walls and trees that could be knocked down.
• Do not access areas of the coastline affected by strong waves. Stay away from promenades, breakwaters, and seawalls.
• Be careful of street furniture, streetlights, parked motorcycles and cars, cranes, and garbage containers.
• In the mountains, avoid approaching or walking along cliffs. The wind can blow away bulky objects and cause snow to accumulate.

On the road

• The government is asking people to avoid travel.
• It is important to check road conditions if you are driving.
• If driving, reduce your speed, hold the steering wheel or handlebars firmly, and monitor your lateral distance when overtaking.