Southern Tarragona: Red Alert to torrential rainfall

Southern Tarragona is under red weather alert this evening after torrential rain caused severe flooding, prompting the Catalan Civil Protection agency to issue two ES-Alert emergency warnings to mobile phones across the Montsià region and nearby coastal areas from Alcanar to Salou.

Residents trapped due to flooding in Montsià

The intense downpour, part of Storm Alice, has left streets flooded and ravines overflowing in several towns, including Godall, La Ràpita, and Santa Bàrbara. The Generalitat emergency service confirmed people trapped in cars and underpasses. Thankfully, there have not been any injuries reported.

Cristina Vicente is the head of Civil Protection’s operations. She urged residents to remain indoors, and “if you can, move up to higher floors if water gets into your home.” She warned that there will be more rain overnight.

Transport disruptions across Southern Tarragona

According to the Catalan Traffic Service, the AP-7 autoroute between Freginals & Ulldecona has been closed in both direction due to flooding. Other roads affected include:

• C-12 (with detours) in Tortosa
• T-331 between Ulldecona and Santa Bàrbara
• TP-3311 between Santa Bàrbara and La Galera

The train service has also been disrupted. Renfe suspended operations on the Barcelona–Valencia line along the Mediterranean Corridor, affecting more than 3,000 passengers and 17 trains. The R16 commuter train line was shut down, and one train was stuck in Ulldecona because of submerged tracks. Civil Protection has put the Ferrocat Plan on pre-alert.

Sending ES Alerts

At 4 pm, authorities sent an ES-Alert to residents in Montsià, urging them to avoid unnecessary movement. By 8 pm, a second alert extended the warning to Baix Ebre, Baix Camp, Ribera d’Ebre, and Tarragonès regions. Aemet has issued a warning for up to 180 litres per square metre of rain in 12 hours.

As he met the Catalan Emergency Coordination Centre to assess the situation, President Salvador Illa urged residents to exercise “maximum precaution”, to avoid traveling and to adhere to official instructions.

More than 600 calls have been made to the 112 emergency number, mostly reporting minor incidents and flooded roads. Local councils opened temporary shelters in the affected areas, and monitoring teams were deployed along ravines.

Southern Catalonia is home to a significant expat community, particularly in Alcanar, La Ràpita, and Tortosa, where many British and northern European residents live. Residents are advised not to travel and to monitor official updates. Transport links have been cut off and flooding risks are high.

Authorities warn of flash floods in coastal and low-lying areas. Once the storm has passed, road and cleanup efforts will start.

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