Sant Cugat experienced a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday evening, 16 September, bringing intense rain, dozens of lightning flashes and thunder, and isolated flooding on streets. For residents, the immediate effect was localised surface-water flooding, although no major incidents were reported.
According to TOT Sant Cugat, the meteorological station at CAR Sant Cugat recorded about 17 litres of rain per square metre. Rainfall was heavier in some other parts of the municipality.
Maximum weather warning and mobile alert
The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya, Catalonia's meteorological service, activated its highest severe-weather warning level, 6 out of 6, at about 20:00. The warning covered the risk of hail, damaging downbursts and possible waterspouts or tornadoes.
An ES-Alert emergency message was sent to mobile phones at 23:00, the report said.
Civil Protection also issued a hydrological-risk warning for Vallès Occidental, warning that river and stream flows could rise suddenly during the adverse weather.
Civil Protection carried out preventive work in Sant Cugat to limit damage, according to the report.
Second severe-weather episode in a week
The storm crossed several Catalan counties during Wednesday, first affecting parts of Girona province before moving towards Maresme, Vallès Oriental, Vallès Occidental, Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat and Anoia.
- Barcelonès recorded 605 calls to the emergency service.
- Vallès Occidental recorded 47 calls.
- Garraf recorded 41 calls and Gironès 35.
The episode followed similar severe weather a week earlier, when the Catalan weather service warned of violent conditions that led to classes being suspended in five counties in the Barcelona area.
Reported by TOT Sant Cugat.
