Briefing
Protecció Civil of the Generalitat de Catalunya activated the alert phase of the special flood emergency plan on 3 October 2026 INUNCAT activated and announced that, for the most vulnerable areas, it would send ES-Alert-alerts to residents’ mobile phones in the hours ahead. The measure follows assessments by the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat) and the state weather agency AEMET in light of forecasts of very heavy rain, strong gusts and high waves along the Catalan coast in the coming hours. Authorities’ observations point to locally extreme rainfall within a few hours, as well as dangerous wind gusts in exposed coastal areas.
The authorities have issued precautionary measures: outdoor public activities have been restricted in around twenty Comarques, municipal emergency plans have been activated, and emergency teams are on standby. Protecció Civil advises against non-essential travel, parking vehicles in low-lying areas or underground car parks, going near underpasses or rivers, and leaving loose items unsecured outdoors. In coastal areas, the clear recommendation is to stay away from breaking waves and beaches, and to suspend nautical activities.
Meteocat described the situation as exceptional; press conferences discussed the risk of a system with some tropical characteristics — often referred to in the media as a “mini-hurricane” or “Medicane” — although it was not certain at the time of the official statements that it would fully develop. Protecció Civil and Meteocat said the precautionary measures were based on current model ensembles, which indicate possible intensification overnight.
No specific reports of widespread damage had been received by the afternoon; the authorities’ response is precautionary and aims to limit the effects of possible flooding and storm damage. Meteocat, AEMET and the relevant Generalitat services published current situation reports and warning-level updates; decisions on further restrictions or an all-clear are to be made depending on how the situation develops overnight and communicated the following morning.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).