The State Meteorological Agency has activated the red warning for torrential rains on the southern coast and pre-coast of Tarragona. The measure is in response to an episode of very intense rainfall linked to storm Alice, which, according to the forecast, could hit the area with force. Ebro delta during the afternoon and evening of this Sunday.
The red level implies an extreme risk In exposed areas: rapid flooding, urban drainage problems, and mobility complications cannot be ruled out. Forecasts point to peaks close to 90 mm in one hour and accumulated that could reach up to 180 mm in 12 hours, with showers accompanied by storms and great local variability.
What the red warning means and why it is activated
The declaration of a red warning means that authorities consider an impact likely extraordinary on population and property If the most severe scenarios are confirmed. In these types of episodes, downpours can be very localized and leave large accumulations in a short period of time, favoring sudden floods in streams, ravines and low points of the road network.
Aemet raises the warning level to the maximum when several factors come together: high precipitation rates in short periods, a very unstable atmosphere, already saturated soils, and orographic effects that enhance the rain bands. In the south of Tarragona, the relief near the coast and the dynamics of the dana favor this intensification.
Civil Protection has sent a EN-Alert to mobile phones in the region Montsia, reminding everyone of the need to take extreme precautions, avoid unnecessary travel, and avoid approaching watercourses, streams, or flood-prone areas.
In addition to the downpour, there may be occasionally strong gusts associated with storms and rough seas on the coast, factors that complicate emergency management and traffic in coastal areas and areas transitioning to the pre-coastal.
Affected areas and planned time slots
The notice focuses on the southern coast of Tarragona and pre-coastal, with special attention to Terres de l'Ebre and the delta environment, where orographic forcing and instability lines can concentrate the greatest accumulations. The most sensitive strip extends from the late into the night this Sunday.
For Monday, the forecast contemplates the continuation of instability, but with less adversity: a orange notice at the southern coast of Tarragona between 10:00 and 23:00, with still intense showers, although generally somewhat more contained than during the most critical hours.
The atmosphere will remain very charged in the NE of the peninsula, with very cloudy skies, stretches of persistent rain and possible residual storms, especially during the first half of the day and in mountain areas and near the coast.
In parallel, Aemet maintains lower level warnings in other Catalan regions, depending on how the precipitation bands associated with the dana and the humid easterly flow evolve.
Notable incidents: roads and railways
The rains have caused flooding on the road and traffic cuts. The Servei Català de Trànsit has reported the closure of the AP-7 between Freginals and Ulldecona in both directions, establishing mandatory detours at points such as Hospitalet de l'Infant (southbound) and Ulldecona (northbound).
Several secondary and national roads have also been interrupted or restricted: C-12 between Amposta and Tortosa (with signposted detours), T-331 between Ulldecona and Santa Bàrbara, TP-3311 between Santa Bàrbara and La Sènia and N-340 between Amposta and Alcanar, among other specific effects.
On the railway, the accumulation of water on the track has forced interrupt traffic on line R16 already suspend outings in the mediterranean corridor originating in Barcelona and Valencia. The incident has affected more than 3.000 travelers already about twenty trains, with route changes, returns to stations and cancellations punctual.
Renfe has communicated that the tickets for the affected routes may change or cancel without cost for users. Civil Protection has activated the pre-alert of the plan Ferrocat for rail passenger transport.
The Bombers of the Generalitat have attended to an increasing volume of notices by flooding in lowlands, water accumulations and vehicle rescues, exceeding the 170 services in the interval from the afternoon to the early evening, with the Montsià region as the most affected.
Civil Protection Measures and Recommendations
With the red warning active, the authorities insist on avoid displacement unless strictly necessary. If you are already on the road, it is recommended to check the status of the roads, do not cross water rafts and take extreme caution in underpasses and areas prone to flooding.
The population is asked to stay away from rivers, streams and ravines; remove vehicles from flood zones; and secure objects on balconies or patios that could be swept away by water or wind. In the event of any urgencia, you should call 112 and follow the instructions of the emergency services.
The ES-Alert message issued in Montsia stresses that we must stay in safe places, postpone outdoor activities and attend official channels to learn about changes in notices or new incidents.
In affected municipalities, the town councils have rescheduled activities and, as a preventive measure, have been School activities suspended on Monday, October 13 in the most exposed areas to reduce mobility and ensure safety.
The evolution in the next few hours
Looking ahead to the early hours of Monday, a still changing scenario is expected, with intervals of rain and heavy cloud cover. The weather situation will remain under surveillance, with the orange notice in force on the southern coast of Tarragona within the daytime zone indicated by the agency.
In this type of storms, the spatial dispersion The storms cause the accumulated amounts to vary greatly within a few kilometers, so it is key to heed the warnings. municipal and regional, in addition to the general report from Aemet.
If there is no need, the most prudent thing is avoid mobility During high-risk time periods, postpone outdoor tasks and periodically review the official updates on Civil Protection and Aemet channels.
The combination of a exceptional red notice, the incidents already recorded on roads and railways and the possibility of new storms make it advisable to remain vigilant, reducing exposure and prioritizing safety while the storm subsides.
