The coast of Tarragona has woken up under water after a night of torrential rains that has left accumulations exceeding 200 liters per square meter in some areas, three people injured, around 450 evacuated, and serious problems on roads and railway lines.
The episode has particularly hit the coastline of Baix Penedès and the north of Tarragonès. El Vendrell, Torredembarra, Creixell, and Roda de Berà are among the most affected towns by precipitation that has turned numerous streets into real torrents and has forced the deployment of a wide emergency device.
The emergency services received 192 alerts during the night. The provisional balance includes three people injured by the collapse of a wall and nearly 450 evacuated: approximately 300 were in a campsite in Roda de Berà and another 150 had to leave a nightclub in El Vendrell.
So far, no fatalities have been reported. The situation, however, remains under surveillance due to the possibility of new storms, especially in southern Catalonia. Civil Protection has activated the alert of the Inuncat plan and asks to avoid unnecessary travel and flood-prone areas.
More than 200 liters per square meter in a few hours
The intensity and persistence of the precipitation explain the magnitude of the floods. In some points of the Tarragona coastline, more than 200 liters per square meter have been exceeded in about eight hours, according to the monitoring of the episode recorded by SER.
Some weather stations have recorded around 100 liters per square meter in just three hours. When so much water falls in such a short period, the ground and drainage systems cannot absorb it and runoff quickly concentrates in streets, streams, ravines, and underpasses.
The images broadcast during the early morning show vehicles surrounded by water, displaced urban furniture, flooded basements, and practically impassable roads. Civil Protection has warned that streams and ravines can experience sudden rises even in places where it is not raining at that moment.
Three injured and 450 evacuated
The most serious incident known so far has been the collapse of a wall, which has injured three people. All of them have received assistance from the Medical Emergency System.
In Roda de Berà, about 300 people had to be evacuated preventively from a campsite due to the advance of water. Emergency services also evacuated around 150 young people from a nightclub in El Vendrell. Some needed attention for cold after remaining wet during the evacuation.
The floods have also affected hotel establishments, homes, garages, and commercial premises. In Torredembarra, no personal injuries have been reported, although the force of the water has swept away containers and other elements of urban furniture.
The balance remains provisional and may increase as the municipalities and emergency teams finish inspecting the most affected areas.
Eight railway lines affected by the flooding of Sant Vicenç de Calders
One of the main mobility problems is concentrated at the Sant Vicenç de Calders station. The entry of water into the facilities has forced the interruption or alteration of railway circulation and has affected eight lines:
* R2 Sud
* R4
* R13
* R14
* R15
* R16
* R17
* RT2
Sant Vicenç de Calders is one of the main railway hubs in southern Catalonia, so any incident at the station has consequences for travel between Tarragona, Barcelona, and the Terres de l'Ebre.
The status of each line may change as the water is removed and the tracks are inspected. Before going to a station, travelers should check the updated information from [Rodalies de Catalunya](https://rodalies.gencat.cat/ca/alteracions_del_servei/) and the official channels of Renfe and Adif.
The N-340 also remained closed for a good part of the night due to the floods. Drivers should check the state of the roads on the Servei Català de Trànsit map before starting any trip.
Map of the most affected towns
The storm has concentrated its main damage in several municipalities close to each other:
* El Vendrell: evacuation of a nightclub, flooding in establishments, and very intense rain accumulations.
* Roda de Berà: preventive evacuation of about 300 people staying at a campsite.
* Torredembarra: flooded streets and urban furniture swept away by the current.
* Creixell: flooding in urban roads and low areas.
* Sant Vicenç de Calders: flooded station and affected railway circulation on eight lines.
The proximity between these localities and the presence of streams and low areas has favored the rapid accumulation of water. Authorities insist that one should not attempt to cross a flooded road, even if the level seems low: a shallow current can sweep away a vehicle.
The alert remains active and the rains may move south
Civil Protection has activated the Inuncat plan in anticipation of new intense showers. Attention is now shifting towards southern Catalonia and the Terres de l'Ebre, although storms may still occur in other regions.
The evolution of the warnings can be consulted on the official channels of Protecció Civil de Catalunya and in the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya. Weather warnings and transport disruptions can change in a matter of minutes.
In the face of torrential rains, the basic recommendations are to avoid streams, ravines, underpasses, garages, and underground plants; do not cross areas covered by water; go to upper floors if water enters a home and call 112 only in case of emergency.
The next review of the balance is scheduled for 11:00 hours and should update the situation of the evacuated people, the evolution of the rain towards southern Catalonia and the possible recovery of the affected roads and railway lines.