Patients evacuated from hospital as Spain faces devastating floods

Spain recently experienced severe flooding caused by torrential rain, which led to the evacuation of at least 71 patients from Penedès Regional Hospital, located southwest of Barcelona. Emergency services responded to multiple calls as the rain transformed streets into rivers, affecting many regions including Catalonia. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET issued warnings for several provinces with varying degrees of severity, advising residents to take precautions due to the extraordinary danger posed by the flooding events. On Saturday, July 12, torrents of rain were recorded, with Barcelona receiving at least 155mm in just a few hours, while Navarra saw 97mm. The storm conditions were exacerbated by a DANA (High-level Isolated Depression), known for causing abrupt weather changes and heavy precipitation. There were reports of chaos in urban areas, local businesses inundated, and significant disruption to daily activities. Concerns were also raised about two individuals who were swept away after they fell into the Foix River in Cubelles, leading to an ongoing search operation by the fire brigade, which included the use of drones and helicopters. Despite the severity of the weather conditions, essential services, including flights from Barcelona El Prat Airport, resumed normal operations as the storm began to recede. By late Saturday, weather alerts were gradually downgraded to lower levels, bringing some relief, although there continued to be areas affected by flooding. The local population experienced significant challenges, including power outages and interruptions to water supply, as many homes remained inaccessible due to the rising water levels. The events highlighted the vulnerability of certain regions in Spain to extreme weather patterns and raised questions about preparedness and response strategies for disaster management. While the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not issue specific travel advisories regarding the situation, travelers were advised to monitor weather updates and local authorities’ guidance. As the situation evolves, officials are reviewing responses and planning to ensure lessons from this incident are learned to mitigate future risks.