Flooding in Spain's Catalonia claims at least two more lives
Heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding in Spain's Catalonia region, killing at least two people and leaving one person missing, while also disrupting air and rail traffic.
Torrential rain has caused severe flooding in Spain's northeastern Catalonia region, killing at least two people, Reuters reports.
Catalan regional president Salvador Illa confirmed that one person died on Sunday, October 4, in the town of Tordera, north of Barcelona, after a wall collapsed. A second victim was reported in Montornès del Vallès. In Pineda de Mar, around 50 kilometers north of Barcelona, rescue teams are still searching for another missing person.
Highest-level warning issued
Catalan authorities declared a red alert, the highest warning level, due to the storm, and urged residents to stay indoors from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon. Regional meteorologists warned of an unusually intense cyclone forming over the Mediterranean that could bring extremely heavy rain, strong winds, and even a small tornado to the region.
Streets and homes flooded
Saturday's downpours flooded homes and streets in several towns near Barcelona. In Bellvitge and Cornellà, cars were swept into floodwaters, while several roads in and around Barcelona were also submerged.
It was previously reported that an earlier round of flooding killed a 102-year-old woman, and that rescuers in the town of Madrigueras helped around 90 people on Friday, October 2, who had been trapped by flooding.
Transport disruption
The severe weather also disrupted transport: some flights at Barcelona Airport were cancelled or delayed, and local train services across the region were affected. Several shops closed early, and football matches were called off.
