Fifteen beaches on the Costa Dorada have raised the red flag due to a thunderstorm. In L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, firefighters have attended to around twenty reports of fallen trees and objects, with no personal injuries.
This Monday afternoon has been marked by a strong thunderstorm that has forced the closure of around fifteen beaches on the Costa Dorada for swimming. The precautionary measure aims to avoid risks for bathers due to electrical discharges and strong waves. Concurrently, the gale has also left its mark on the metropolitan area of Barcelona, with L'Hospitalet de Llobregat being one of the points with the most incidents.
According to Civil Protection, between 18:15 and 19:00 hours, firefighters received about twenty calls in the metropolitan region, mainly for fallen trees and objects on public roads. Despite the intensity of the reports, no personal injuries have been recorded, which has been a relief for emergency services.
Wind gusts and hail on the coast
The Meteorological Service of Catalonia has detailed that the showers, locally intense, have been accompanied by thunderstorms and, in some areas like Priorat, small hail. The precipitation has moved from southwest to northeast, affecting regions such as Barcelonès, where L'Hospitalet is located. The wind has been the main protagonist, with gusts exceeding 60 km/h in coastal areas.
In L'Hospitalet, incidents have concentrated in tree-lined streets and pedestrian areas. Firefighters have had to remove large branches that obstructed traffic, especially in the Collblanc district and Granvia Avenue. Although the situation normalised within a few hours, Civil Protection has kept the preventive alert active until late in the afternoon.
Recommendations during the storm
Civil Protection has reminded citizens of the importance of taking extra precautions during thunderstorms. If found on the beach, one should leave the water immediately and seek shelter in safe areas, avoiding metal structures or isolated trees. In urban areas, it is recommended to secure objects such as pots or awnings that could be displaced by the wind.
The emergency phone number 112 received over eighty calls across the metropolitan region during the peak of the storm, mostly for fallen branches and urban furniture. Firefighters have worked on removing obstacles and checking unstable structures, with no injuries reported.
Forecast for the coming hours
The Meteorological Service predicts that instability will decrease overnight, although scattered showers are not ruled out in the southern coast. For Tuesday, a gradual improvement is expected, with mild temperatures and calm winds. The beaches of the Costa Dorada are likely to reopen throughout the morning, once the absence of electrical risk is confirmed.
Residents of L'Hospitalet can check the status of the beaches through the Civil Protection website or call 112. Meanwhile, the city is returning to normal after an afternoon of meteorological shocks that, fortunately, has only resulted in a scare.
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