Spain: One fatality due to floods in Catalonia October 23

Event

At least one person has died and another six have been injured as of Wednesday, October 23, due to floods across Catalonia since Tuesday, October 22. Rescue teams will resume operations at 08:00 (local time) on Thursday, October 24, to search for five missing people. Tarragona and Girona provinces are reportedly the worst-hit provinces, with the flooding and consequent landslides forcing a number of road closures in both provinces. Approximately 7500 people were without power as of 17:45 on Wednesday due to the flooding of transformation centers. Technical repair teams were reportedly unable to access the transformation centers due to flooded access roads. It is unclear as of early morning on Thursday when power will be fully restored. The state-owned railway operator Renfe also announced on Wednesday service disruptions to and from Barcelona, on trains servicing the Mediterranean Corridor - including to France, and on other regional lines. Renfe did not say when these services will resume.

The Spanish meteorology agency has no weather warnings in place as of Thursday. Further transportation and power disruptions are expected, as well as possible business disruptions, throughout Catalonia in the coming days. 

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.