Catalonia began the week facing widespread disruption after torrential weekend rain killed two people and left another missing. Flooding damaged homes, roads and railway infrastructure across the northeastern Spanish region, with many commuter services still operating abnormally on Monday, 5 October.
Authorities confirmed fatalities in Tordera and Montornès del Vallès, both in Barcelona province. A 75-year-old man died when a wall collapsed in Tordera, while firefighters discovered another victim in a flooded private garage in Montornès.
Emergency teams were also searching for a missing person in Pineda de Mar. The storm generated thousands of emergency calls as water entered buildings, submerged vehicles and damaged transport connections.
Commuters face continuing disruption
Much of Catalonia’s Rodalies commuter railway network remained affected on Monday. Operator Renfe and infrastructure manager Adif were inspecting damaged sections before restoring services safely, with connections towards the Maresme coast and Girona among those disrupted.
The transport problems followed flight cancellations and delays at Barcelona airport during the weekend. Flooded roads and interruptions to rail services complicated journeys across the metropolitan area and neighbouring coastal communities.
Eight schools remained closed on Monday, while other educational buildings reported damage. Hospitals in Granollers and Blanes were among the healthcare facilities affected by the flooding.
Emergency crews respond across the region
Firefighters carried out hundreds of rescues over the weekend, helping people trapped in vehicles, lifts and lower floors of buildings. In Blanes, patients were moved from the flooded ground floor of the local hospital to higher levels.
Some coastal locations recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall, with nearly 300 millimetres reported in parts of the Maresme area. Swollen rivers prompted emergency warnings, while landslides and accumulated water forced road closures.
Recovery becomes the priority
Catalan President Salvador Illa said efforts should focus on repairing homes, public facilities and transport routes to restore normal conditions as quickly as possible.
Remaining regional mobility restrictions were lifted on Sunday evening, although the flood emergency plan stayed active. Authorities continued to urge caution as inspections and repairs proceeded.
The scale of the damage leaves municipalities managing simultaneous demands on transport, healthcare, education and public maintenance, extending the storm’s impact beyond the initial emergency.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 5 October 2026
Catalonia began the week facing widespread disruption after torrential weekend rain killed two people and left another missing. Flooding damaged homes, roads and railway infrastructure across the northeastern Spanish region, with many commuter services still operating abnormally on Monday, 5 October.
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