Spain issues red alert as torrential rain brings more than 200mm of rainfall
Spain’s eastern regions of Tarragona and Castellón were placed under red weather alerts on Friday as torrential rainfall created an exceptional risk of flooding and disrupted transport.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) warned of rainfall rates exceeding 90 millimetres in an hour and accumulations of up to 250 millimetres over 12 hours in some coastal areas of Tarragona and Castellón. The storms were also expected to bring hail and strong wind gusts.
The heavy rain caused flash flooding in parts of the Ebro area, with more than 200 millimetres recorded in several locations. Emergency services in Tarragona rescued 18 people who had become trapped in vehicles as floodwaters rose, while firefighters also responded to flooded homes and blocked roads.
Civil Protection authorities urged residents in the Baix Ebre and Montsià areas of Catalonia to avoid unnecessary travel and remain indoors during the most dangerous conditions. Rail services were also disrupted on several regional routes around Tarragona and Tortosa.
Although the highest-level warnings were later eased, authorities continued to monitor the situation as further intense showers and thunderstorms were forecast across parts of the Mediterranean coast and other areas of Spain over the weekend.
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