Storm batters Catalonia: dozens injured, roads cut and flights suspended

Catalonia has now passed through the worst phase of a violent windstorm that forced the suspension of classes, non‑urgent medical activity and outdoor events on Thursday, although the regional authorities are keeping the alert in place until 20:00. The first balance leaves dozens of injuries, major disruption to transport and a record number of emergency calls, mainly in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.

Dozens injured and record calls to 112

Emergency medical services have treated around sixty people for incidents directly related to the storm, with about twenty of them requiring transfer to hospital and at least one reported in serious condition. Falling branches, flying debris and structural elements torn loose by the wind have been behind many of the accidents attended by crews since midnight.

The 112 emergency line has had one of its busiest days in recent memory, handling 3,163 calls that translated into 2,753 separate incidents. The province of Barcelona has been the clear epicentre of the chaos, accounting for almost a third of all calls, followed by neighbouring comarcas such as Vallès Occidental and Baix Llobregat.

Between 10:00 and 11:00 in the morning the system reached a peak, with firefighters attending 382 wind‑related alerts in just one hour. By 13:00, fire services had already carried out 1,252 interventions, mostly to remove dangerous elements, secure façades and deal with fallen trees or objects on public roads.

Fifteen roads cut and 91 flights cancelled

The storm’s impact on transport has been substantial. A total of 15 roads across Catalonia have been cut at different points due to fallen trees, accidents or safety concerns, with the province of Barcelona again the most affected. In addition, heavy lorries have faced restrictions on key routes such as the AP‑7 motorway to prevent overturning and chain collisions.

Air traffic has not escaped the disruption. Strong crosswinds at Barcelona–El Prat forced the cancellation of 91 flights, with others suffering delays or diversions. Airport operations began to stabilise around midday, but airlines have warned passengers to check the status of their flights and expect possible knock‑on effects throughout the day.

Rail services have also been hit, with several stretches of the R1, R2 and R4 commuter lines temporarily shut due to objects blown onto the tracks. Adif and Renfe teams have been working to clear the lines and restore normal service, but travellers have faced longer journey times and cancellations on some routes.

Classes cancelled and hospitals forced to reschedule

As a preventive measure, the Catalan government ordered the suspension of classes in many schools and recommended teleworking wherever possible. According to the regional Interior department, these decisions helped reduce mobility by around 17 percent compared with a normal weekday, easing pressure on the transport network and lowering the risk of accidents.

However, one of the most controversial measures has been the suspension of non‑urgent healthcare activity. Hospitals in Barcelona have had to postpone thousands of outpatient appointments: Vall d’Hebron alone has cancelled around 7,000 consultations and Sant Joan de Déu another 2,500. While authorities argue that the move avoided unnecessary journeys and potential accidents, patients and staff have expressed frustration at the last‑minute disruption.

Wind gusts of up to 167 km/h and citywide closures in Barcelona

Meteorological data confirm the exceptional strength of the storm, especially in the province of Barcelona. In the Montseny area, gusts reached a maximum of 167 kilometres per hour, while in the city and its metropolitan belt there have been multiple recordings of winds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour.

Faced with this scenario, Barcelona City Council raised its alert level to emergency status by mid‑morning. The municipality suspended all outdoor cultural and leisure activities scheduled for Thursday, including events linked to the Santa Eulàlia festivities and carnival celebrations, and closed parks and other public spaces where falling branches or objects posed a risk.

Despite the intensity of the storm, the regional Interior minister, Núria Parlon, has described the overall balance as positive given the conditions. She highlighted that the early suspension of classes and outdoor activities in schools and health centres likely prevented more serious injuries, and called for continued caution until the alert is lifted later in the evening.

Authorities urge caution as alert remains in place

Although the worst gusts appear to have passed, emergency services are asking the public to remain vigilant while the wind warning is still active. Citizens are being urged to avoid wooded areas, stay away from scaffolding and unstable structures, and secure any objects on balconies or terraces that could be blown into the street.

For travellers, the recommendation is to check in advance the state of roads, rail lines and flights, and to allow extra time for journeys across Catalonia, especially in and around Barcelona. With dozens of people already injured and infrastructure under strain, the authorities insist that a few hours of patience and prudence are the best way to avoid new incidents as the region waits for the weather to finally calm down.