World · Europe · 12 hrs ago
Heavy rain alerts issued across eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands
Authorities issued heavy-rain alerts across eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands as a storm system was expected to bring intense, persistent rain.
The warnings cover areas including Barcelona, parts of Valencia and Alicante, and Ibiza and Formentera.
In Valencia and northern Alicante, the highest alert warns of possible rainfall totals of up to 300 litres per square metre in 24 hours in some places.
In the Pitiusas, rain could bring up to 160 litres in five or six hours, while parts of Catalonia also face a risk of very intense downpours.
Flooding is the main concern, and residents have been told to avoid unnecessary journeys, flooded roads and areas where water may rush through.
Official football matches scheduled for Sunday in Valencia and Alicante were suspended because of the red weather alert.
The heavy rain could continue into Monday in some areas, so people are being urged to follow official weather and emergency updates.
Barcelona activated its municipal emergency action plan because heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected in the city.
The regional Inuncat plan was also on alert for intense rain across eastern Catalonia on Saturday afternoon and evening.
Rainfall could exceed 20 litres per square metre in 30 minutes and 60 litres in three hours.
The highest rain-intensity danger level was set for Maresme, Vallès Oriental and La Selva.
Authorities urged residents to take precautions and avoid flooded areas.
- Who
- Barcelona’s municipal Civil Protection activated the emergency plan.
- What
- The city activated its municipal emergency action plan because of the risk of inadequate drainage during heavy rain and storms.
- When
- Saturday morning, 17 October 2026. Heavy rain was forecast for Saturday afternoon and evening.
- Where
- Barcelona and eastern Catalonia.
- Why
- Forecast intense rain and thunderstorms posed a risk of flooding and drainage problems.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Barcelona’s municipal Civil Protection activated the emergency action plan.
Heavy rain was forecast across eastern Catalonia, with the highest intensity danger level in Maresme, Vallès Oriental and La Selva.
Red rain alerts were scheduled for La Selva, Maresme and Vallès Oriental.
Red alerts were scheduled to begin in Barcelonès, Vallès Occidental, Baix Llobregat and Garraf.
- Municipal plan
- Barcelona’s emergency action plan was activated
- Rainfall forecast
- More than 20 litres per square metre in 30 minutes
- Three-hour rainfall
- More than 60 litres per square metre possible
- Highest danger level
- Maresme, Vallès Oriental and La Selva
- Red-alert areas
- Seven Catalan counties were named in the alert schedule
5 sources
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El Ayuntamiento de Barcelona activa la alerta por lluvias y tormentas en "las próximas horas": previsión y recomendaciones
Alerta por lluvias torrenciales en Catalunya, Valencia y Baleares, en directo | Última hora de la dana, avisos rojos del Meteocat, Aemet y plan Inuncat
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⚠️El Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya actualitza avís de situació meteorològica de perill (#avisosSMP) per intensitat de pluja en 30 minuts⚠️ 📆 Ds. de 14 h a dg. 14:00 h. 🌧️ Possibilitat de precipitació > 40 mm / 30 minuts 🔴 Grau de perill màxim: 5/6 Hora local (h) = TU+2