Civil Protection issues emergency phone alert in southern Catalonia for torrential rain

The Catalan Civil Protection issued an emergency phone alert for southern Catalonia on Monday due to potential torrential rain in the counties of Baix Camp, Priorat, and Ribera d'Ebre.

Experts registered rainfall of over 200 mm in the area and decided to issue the ES-Alert emergency alert.

Authorities called on residents to take precautions in southern Catalonia. The message warned of "flooding possibilities due to rivers in the upcoming hours," and urged staying away from rivers.

It was also recommended not to do any trips unless it was strictly "necessary."

Deputy director of Civil Protection Sergio Delgado urged families not to pick up any children from school or elderly from care centers, as no incidents were reported.

"If there was one emergency recorded, it would then be coordinated between the emergency services, city councils, and the ministry of education and the one of social rights," Delgado said.

At 7 pm, Civil Protection issued another emergency phone alert informing citizens that the episode of torrential rain was over, with no major incidents recorded.

The 112 emergency hotline received 106 calls related to the torrential rain by 3 pm.

The alert remained in place for much of the day, as the risk of flooding stayed high.

Meteorological data showed almost 150 mm of accumulated rain in Falset (near Reus in the south) until 9.30 am. There were 95.1 mm in Perelló, in southern Catalonia, and 83.4 mm at Torroja del Priorat. 

Areas in Alt Empordà, Selva, and Garrotxa are also under alert for accumulated rain. Delgado urged residents in the area to be cautious as experts forecast heavy rain in the area during the night.

Earlier in November, authorities issued an emergency alert to thousands of phones due to torrential rain.