Spain – Deadly Floods in Catalonia After 287mm of Rain in 24 Hours

by in Europe, News

Severe weather has once again hit parts of Spain, with storms and flooding reported in the Catalonia Region. At least 2 people have died and 3 are missing.

Flood damage in Catalonia, 23 October 2019. Photo: Civil Protection, Catalonia

One person died and one is still missing after a mobile home was swept away by flooding after the Francolí river burst its banks in Vilaverd, Tarragona.

Two other people are thought to be missing after police found an empty car in the flooded Francolí river in Espluga de Francolí on 23 October. Severe flooding was also reported in other communities along the Francolí river, including Montblanc and Vimbodí.

Another person died after a vehicle was caught up in flooding at Arenys de Munt in Barcelona Province. Three people were injured after flooding and winds caused damage at a campsite in Gualba, also in Barcelona Province.

Catalonia’s emergency services 112 received 1,228 calls for assistance, including 835 for incidents due to heavy rain. The region’s civil protection said that, as of 23 October, there were 53 sections of the Catalan road network affected by floods and landslides.

Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat), the region’s met agency, reported that several locations in Baix Camp, Garrigues and Alt Empordà recorded more than 200mm in 24 hours to 23 October. Meteocat later confirmed that Prades, Baix Camp, recorded 287.4mm of rain in 24 hours on 23 October.

More than 150mm of rain fell in parts of Pla d’Urgell, which is unprecedented in this area, according to Meteocat.

Parts of southeastern Spain are still recovering after catastrophic flooding in mid-September 2019 when 7 people died and over 3,000 were evacuated.

Flood damage along the Francolí river in Tarragona, Spain, 23 October 2019. Photo: Catalunya Bombers
Rainfall totals for Catalonia 23 October 2019. Image / figures: Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya

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