Catalonia has imposed sweeping restrictions across 20 districts as forecasters warn that an exceptional storm system could bring torrential rain, strong winds and possible tornadoes.
Regional president Salvador Illa urged residents in affected areas to stay at home and exercise ‘maximum caution’ as conditions deteriorate on Saturday evening.
He warned that a ‘Mediterranean mini-hurricane’ could form over the region, although the phenomenon is technically known as a mesoscale convective system.
‘This is not a joke. A very complex meteorological situation is coming,’ Illa said.
‘The situation is exceptional and requires the utmost caution and responsibility from everyone.’
He urged residents to obey Civil Protection instructions, avoid unnecessary journeys and stay away from rivers, ravines and other flood-prone areas.
Civil Protection has elevated the INUNCAT flood plan to its emergency phase and issued an ES-Alert to mobile phones in the affected districts.
Mobility and outdoor activities are being restricted across 20 comarcas from 8pm on Saturday until at least 2pm on Sunday.
Residents have been told to remain at home unless travel is essential and to comply with all emergency restrictions.
Meteocat has issued red warnings for both intense rainfall and accumulated precipitation across 17 coastal and pre-coastal districts on Saturday.
The warnings cover Alt Emporda, Baix Emporda, Pla de l’Estany, Garrotxa, Girones, Selva, Maresme, Valles Oriental, Valles Occidental, Barcelones, Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Alt Penedes, Baix Penedes, Alt Camp, Tarragones and Baix Camp.
The red-alert area is expected to expand overnight to include Moianes, Osona and Ripolles, bringing the total to 20 districts on Sunday.
Forecasters have placed the danger level at the maximum six out of six in the worst-affected areas.
More than 200mm of rain possible
Meteorologists have warned that the developing system could produce more than 200 litres of rain per square metre in around six hours in some locations.
Strong winds, waterspouts and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
Meteocat officials said forecasting models were pointing towards the formation of a mesoscale convective system – a large, organised complex of thunderstorms capable of producing intense rainfall over a sustained period.
The storm is expected to affect coastal and inland areas of Tarragona, Barcelona and Girona before potentially spreading farther into the Girona interior on Sunday.
Heavy rain is also expected across the Terres de l’Ebre, central Catalonia and the Pyrenees, where several districts have been placed under orange warnings.
The severe forecast has already forced the postponement of housing demonstrations planned in Barcelona and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
Authorities have urged people not to park in flood-prone areas, approach swollen waterways or attempt to cross roads covered by water.
