Roads blocked off in Terrassa area after 60 mm downpour in an hour
Parts of B-40 and C-16 closed as northern metropolitan cities suffer floods and streams burst banks
Two major metropolitan roads, B-40 and C-16, were blocked off on Tuesday afternoon after a very intense downpour of 60 mm of rain fell in Terrassa in an hour.
Four kilometers of B-40 were closed off at 4.15 pm at La Roca del Vallès due to the flooding caused by the rain.
As for C-16, authorities decided to block off two kilometers near Terrassa at around 3.45 pm.
The C-58 highway also suffered disruptions, but around 5.45 pm, the Catalan traffic authority said all three roads were fully reopened, although C-59 at Sant Feliu de Codines had also been closed.
Two other minor roads, BP-1103 and BV-3003, were also closed due to landslides as of 5.45 pm.
People at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia, in Terrassa, were evacuated, as authorities were warned about the collapse of a wall in the basement.
Talking to the Catalan News Agency, local authorities said the rain led to significant amount of water on important streets, such as Terrassa's La Rambla, as well as Palau and Arenes streams, where some vehicles were dragged by the water.
Between 3 pm and 3.30 pm, 14.9 mm fell in the city, but the intensity grew with 37.6 mm in the following 30 minutes – between 4 pm and 4.30 pm, 22.6 mm more poured, with the total accumulated during the day surpassing 80 mm at 6 pm local time.