Emergency Measures Activated Until Sunday

Protecció Civil de la Generalitat has declared a full emergency under the INUNCAT plan for 20 comarques in Catalonia, effective from 20:00 on Saturday 3 October until 14:00 on Sunday 4 October. The decision follows severe weather forecasts from the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (SMC), which predict torrential downpours with accumulations exceeding 40 litres per square metre in 30 minutes across coastal and pre-coastal areas. In some zones, up to 200 litres could fall within 24 hours, potentially within just six hours.

"We are facing an exceptional situation with extreme risk. The public must stay indoors and avoid all non-essential movement," said Imma Solé, Deputy Director of Protecció Civil.

Restrictions Across 20 Comarques

The emergency applies to:

  • Alt Empordà
  • Baix Empordà
  • Alt Penedès
  • Baix Llobregat
  • Barcelonès
  • Garraf
  • Garrotxa
  • Gironès
  • Pla de l'Estany
  • Vallès Occidental
  • Vallès Oriental
  • Maresme
  • Selva
  • Alt Camp
  • Baix Camp
  • Baix Penedès
  • Osona
  • Ripollès
  • Tarragonès
  • Moianès

All outdoor activities are suspended, including sports, cultural events, leisure gatherings, markets, fairs, and any event in flood-prone zones. Mobility is restricted to essential travel only. Educational institutions, research centres, and basic and specialised social services have been ordered to halt operations during the alert period. Teleworking is mandatory wherever possible.

ES-Alert to Be Sent to Residents

An ES-Alert will be sent to mobile phones in the affected areas to warn of the extreme danger. The message will advise against going outside and reinforce the need to contact emergency services at 112 if required. Despite earlier uncertainty, schools are not being formally closed by decree, although educational activity is suspended under the broader halt to institutional operations.

Violent Weather Expected

The SMC has issued a level 5 out of 6 danger warning for rainfall intensity and accumulation. Localised storms may bring hail, extremely strong wind gusts over 126 km/h, waterspouts, and tornadoes. Rainfall will begin intensifying overnight, spreading from southern coastal areas like Baix Camp northward through the Maresme and Girona regions by Sunday evening. Further updates will follow after the technical committee reconvenes. Residents are urged to monitor Meteocat's official risk alerts and follow instructions from local authorities.

Primary sources: cido.diba.cat. Reported by gerio.cat, rtve.es, Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya. Generalitat de Catalunya, diaridesabadell.com, Arnau Urgell i Vidal, elperiodico.cat, protecciocivillleida.org, Departament d'Interior i Seguretat Pública, elnacional.cat, icab.es, 53031286W, ACN, Gerió Digital.