The Bombers de la Generalitat, Catalonia’s regional fire and rescue service, received 94 storm-related call-outs between noon and 8pm on Saturday, including flooding, blocked drains, fallen trees and rescues in natural areas. Residents and road users in the central counties, the Barcelona metropolitan area and Lleida were among those affected by the incidents.
The emergency telephone service handled 157 calls linked to 95 rain-related incidents by 8pm. Baix Llobregat accounted for 18% of the incidents, followed by Segrià with 17% and Ripollès with 12%.
Abrera generated 20 emergency calls and Corbins 17, according to information reported by laciutat.cat.
Intense rain recorded in Osona, Ripollès and Bages
Several locations exceeded the critical rainfall threshold over 30 minutes:
- Muntanyola, in Osona, recorded 21.6 litres per square metre.
- Sant Pau de Segúries, in Ripollès, recorded 29.2 litres per square metre.
- Artés, in Bages, recorded 22.4 litres per square metre.
Fire crews dealt mainly with water entering ground-floor premises, water collecting on public roads, obstructed drains and inspections of non-structural items at risk of falling. They also removed branches and trees brought down during the storms.
Hiker seriously injured near Costabona
In Setcases, Ripollès, lightning struck close to a group of French hikers climbing Costabona peak. One person then fell about eight metres down a precipice.
The alert was received at noon. A rescue helicopter, the Grup d’Actuacions Especials, the Bombers’ specialist rescue unit, and medical staff from the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques, Catalonia’s emergency medical service, attended with ground crews. The injured person was taken in a serious condition to Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona.
Setcases also reported a forest fire near Collada Verda at about 3.30pm, after an atmospheric electrical discharge. Five ground crews brought the fire under control; recent rain limited its spread, and the blaze affected only local piles of biomass.
Reported by laciutat.cat.
