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Storm Melissa Floods Catalonia and the Balearics, Disrupting Flights and Trains

Pre-alerts remain in force as emergency services report hundreds of callouts with disruption continuing.

Overview

  • Catalonia’s weather service issued a stay-indoors warning for Barcelona as hail, torrential rain and strong winds struck early Thursday.
  • Firefighters handled nearly 400 flood-related incidents, including rescues from vehicles and elevators, and evacuated a building in Badia del Vallès with no injuries reported.
  • Barcelona El Prat canceled at least 47 flights, while Palma saw runway flooding and significant delays across Balearic airports, according to officials and airport data.
  • Rail operations were curtailed, with several services suspended including the R15 after a wall collapse, as road traffic volumes also fell sharply.
  • Localized downpours were intense, with 81.7 mm recorded in Caldes de Montbui and 35 mm falling in 20 minutes at Sant Hilari, and authorities kept a regional pre-alert for further heavy rain.