Video: @bomberscat / X
21 Vehicle Rescues Across Ebre and Camp de Tarragona
The Catalan Fire Service (Bombers) carried out 21 rescues of people trapped in vehicles due to torrential rains on Tuesday afternoon across the Terres de l’Ebre and Camp de Tarragona. Most of the incidents occurred in Xerta, where the C-12 road was closed due to flooding. Additional rescues took place in Jesús, Roquetes, Benifallet, Alfara de Carles and Aldover.
Roads Closed and Widespread Disruptions
Heavy rainfall forced the closure of at least six roads due to flooding, standing water or landslides. Affected routes included the C-12 near Xerta, the T-301 in Benifallet, the TV-3422 between Aldover and Tortosa, the A-7 near Mont-roig del Camp, which reopened around 19:45, and the C-43 in Benifallet. In Tarragona city, downpours dumped up to 72 litres per square metre in a short period, affecting the N-340 through the Ponent district, access roads to Arrabassada and Entrevies, and other urban streets. The local council reported isolated traffic light failures and temporary street closures.
We acted with caution, especially in areas under continued weather alerts.
The storms moved along the coast from south to north, causing street flooding and significant water accumulation in towns including Sitges and Castelldefels in the Garraf region.
Over 600 Emergency Calls Linked to Storms
Between midday and 11pm on Tuesday, the emergency number 112 received 661 calls linked to 481 weather-related incidents. The highest number of reports came from the Baix Ebre (109), followed by the Baix Camp (73) and the Tarragonès (60). During the same period, the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, carried out around 20 interventions in the Tarragona area, mainly in Xerta and other parts of the Terres de l’Ebre, responding to minor floods in homes and vehicles.
No Lightning Injuries Reported
In Cambrils, firefighters inspected a house that had been struck by lightning but confirmed no injuries. Elsewhere, crews assisted a vulnerable family in Tortosa and responded to a farm animal incident in Aldover. Interior Minister Núria Parlon addressed the media at 8pm on Tuesday after chairing an emergency coordination meeting attended by all emergency services and President Salvador Illa. She confirmed that the Inuncat flood response plan remained in emergency phase due to ongoing rain forecasts. Parlon stated that while Wednesday would not see similarly intense rainfall over short periods, caution remained necessary, particularly in areas under further precipitation warnings.
Rail Services Continue Under Modified Plan
Renfe announced it would resume Rodalies commuter rail services on Wednesday using the same contingency arrangements as Tuesday, including road-based alternatives on sections of lines R1, R2 Nord, R3, R4, R7, R8, R11, R13, R14, R17 and RT2. Rail operations will gradually return to normal as Adif resolves infrastructure issues and safety is confirmed.
Primary sources: Subdirecció de prevenció i avaluació. Reported by Agència Catalana de Notícies (ACN, diaridetarragona.com, cronicanegra.com, 20minutos.es, elimparcial.es, inspain.news, Tarragona Ràdio.
