Thousands Evacuated as Torrential Rains Flood Southern Catalonia

On October 13th, 2025, thousands of people in southern Catalonia, Spain were forced to seek refuge in emergency shelters as Storm Alice brought torrential rain and devastating flash flooding to the region. The Catalan government declared a state of emergency in five districts, including the hard-hit Tarragona province, where dramatic scenes unfolded.

Footage from the municipality of Godall showed cars piled up on top of each other, engulfed by the powerful floodwaters. The deluge inundated the bottom levels of many homes, and strong currents turned roads into raging rivers, trapping vehicles. Overnight, local sports centers were transformed into shelters and aid points for stranded motorists, with a reported 1,100 people spending the night in these temporary accommodations.

Firefighters rescued 31 people before 1 AM, with the fire chief stating that some were "at risk of death" from the extreme conditions. The flooding also forced the suspension of train services between Barcelona, Valencia, and the Mediterranean Corridor, affecting around 3,000 passengers. Despite the chaos, there have been no reports of fatalities so far.

As the storm continued to batter the region, local authorities urged residents and visitors to remain indoors, with the mayor of Amposta describing the situation as "chaos" and saying they had "never seen anything like it." The devastating effects of Storm Alice in southern Catalonia serve as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change.