Because of the severe storms in large parts of Spain, almost 10,000 people were not allowed to leave their houses and apartments on Sunday. For the Catalan municipality of Alcanar in the north-east of the country, an indefinite ban on going out was imposed due to the risk of severe flooding, the emergency service said.
The population of Alcanar is advised to go to the upper floors of the houses if possible. 215 liters of rain per square meter fell in just 24 hours. The train service between Valencia and Barcelona was stopped because of the rain, as announced by the Spanish railway company Renfe.
Spain has been hit by severe storms with heavy rain, thunderstorms and hurricane gusts since Saturday, which should last at least until Monday morning in some regions. For areas in Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha as well as for the capital Madrid, the national weather service Aemet declared the highest red alert. There was a warning about heavy rain. Several country roads had to be closed due to flooding, and parks were closed. In Madrid, the first division soccer game between Atlético and FC Sevilla on Sunday was postponed at short notice.
The deaths of two men, aged 34 and 31, were attributed to the bad weather on Saturday. The two had been doing so-called canyoning in a group of eight in Zaragoza – the sporty walking of a gorge – when, according to the companions, they fell into the torrential water and drowned, as the media reported, citing the authorities.
On the popular holiday island of Mallorca, the situation remained calm despite the storm warning of the third highest yellow level. According to the administrative authority Aena, delays at Palma airport averaged 50 minutes. So far, not a single flight has been canceled on Sunday, it said. Several ferries connecting the Balearic Islands to the mainland have been cancelled. Mallorca was hit by storm Betty last weekend, which led to chaotic conditions, especially at Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma.
