Storm Nils batters Catalonia: Travel restrictions lifted after widespread disruption

Extremely strong winds from Storm Nils battered Catalonia on Thursday, disrupting transport and forcing widespread closures as officials warned people to stay home unless travel was essential.

The government lifted the request to avoid non-essential travel on Thursday afternoon. 

Nevertheless, authorities still urge caution when travelling, as further gusts may be recorded during the evening. 

An ES-Alert was sent to mobile phones across Catalonia with the updated recommendations. 

The rest of the restrictions, including the suspension of schools, universities, sports, and non-urgent healthcare, remain in place until 8 pm. 

One critical, nine hospitalised 

At least nine people were taken to hospital as a result of the strong winds.

Among them are one person in critical condition, one in very serious condition and three others seriously injured, according to the health department.

The critically injured patient is a 46-year-old who was struck by part of a roof that collapsed at an industrial warehouse and is being treated at Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona.

The same hospital is also treating a 68-year-old in serious condition with pelvic and femur fractures and chest trauma after a lampost fell on them.
 

The patient in very serious condition is 22 years old and was admitted to Bellvitge Hospital after being hit by a falling tree. A 23-year-old, injured in the same incident, is also in serious condition at the same hospital.

At Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona, a 56-year-old is being treated for serious injuries to their leg after a wall collapsed.

Overall, 86 people required medical assistance due to incidents caused by the strong winds, according to Civil Protection.

On Wednesday, Catalonia announced on Thursday.

The authorities urged people to avoid travel and work from home where possible.

Barcelona Airport

At Barcelona Airport, at least 101 flights were cancelled and ten others diverted, according to airport operator Aena.

Average wind speeds in the Barcelona Airport area were around 61 km/h, with peak gusts reaching up to 92 km/h at times. These conditions were expected to persist until at least 7 pm.

Vueling, one of the main airlines operating at the airport, said it was offering passengers flexibility and free changes on flights departing from or arriving in Barcelona and Palma (Mallorca) until 3 pm.

The airline advised travellers to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.

Trains

Rail services were also affected. Rodalies suspended service on the R11 line between Girona and Maçanet-Massanes after a tree fell onto the tracks in Caldes de Malavella.

On the coast, the R1 stations at Premià and Malgrat de Mar were closed for safety reasons amid concerns over overhead power lines, according to Renfe.

Trains between Vilanova i la Geltrú and Cunit on the R2 Sud line were halted due to obstacles on the tracks.

Adif also reported that a large piece of plastic fell onto the tracks of the R1 line, forcing the suspension of train services between Pineda and Malgrat de Mar.

Lines closed in southern France led to cancellations of trains bound for Paris and Lyon from Barcelona.

Gusts of over 100km/h

Winds topped 100 km/h at several locations across Catalonia between midnight and 8 am on Thursday. 

According to Meteocat, the strongest gust was recorded at Puig Sesolles in the heart of Montseny, northern Vallès Oriental, where winds hit 167 km/h.

Gusts reached 105 km/h at Port de Barcelona, 104 km/h in Mataró, 114 km/h in Molló (Ripollès), and 103 km/h in Font-rubí.

Paid leave entitlement

Catalan labour minister Miquel Sàmper called on employers to let employees work from home "whenever possible." 

In a post on X, the minister pointed out that anyone unable to work from home or reach their workplace is entitled to paid leave.

"The priority today is to guarantee everyone's safety," Sàmper wrote.

Girona mayors criticize wind alert, call for local measures

The mayors of Girona and Figueres, the Alt Empordà Regional Council, and other municipalities criticized the widespread wind alert issued and called for more local measures.

Figueres' mayor Jordi Masquef said the alert has "paralyzed" the country, while in Figueres "not even a leaf has moved."

Girona's mayor, Lluc Salellas, asked for measures to be reduced and be "more surgical," but said he is still waiting for a response.

Alt Empordà council president Agustí Badosa said the area is used to strong winds and regretted that the government has "lumped everywhere together."

Some towns, including Porqueres and Torroella de Montgrí, are preparing to reopen municipal facilities this afternoon.