The highest alert level, “extreme danger,” has been issued for Barcelona because of the heavy rains, and search teams elsewhere in Spain are searching for bodies in flooded areas.
At least 217 people have been killed when heavy rains hit eastern Spain, triggering flash floods that swept away nearly everything in their path. 4,444 people 4,444 people were trapped in their cars, homes and businesses as floodwaters ravaged affected areas last week.
Six days later, search and rescue efforts for the missing continue. Thousands of soldiers have been deployed to help.
And more rain is forecast for parts of the country while communities are still reeling from devastating floods and grieving their losses.
The Catalan government today warned of “persistent and heavy rain” in two regions and urged people to avoid travel and stay away from streams and valleys.
A red alert with “extreme danger” was issued for Barcelona.
It warned people nearby to “not travel unless absolutely necessary”.
Footage on social media showed stairwells flooded and roads submerged by the heavy rain.
Dozens of flights were cancelled at El Prat airport after the terminal building was flooded.
Elsewhere in eastern Spain, the underground car park in Aldaya attracted widespread attention as rescue workers tried to drain floodwaters to gain access.
There were fears that dozens of bodies may be found in the underground car park following the deaths of people trapped by rising waters at a shopping centre on the island of Bonaire.
But firefighters at the scene are downplaying the situation, Spanish media reported.
“Since yesterday afternoon we’ve been able to gain entry by canoe, boat, drone and on foot,” one firefighter told El Pais.
“We searched the entire car park yesterday but luckily no bodies were found.”
They say that may change once the car park is cleared, but at the moment all the cars are empty.
The authorities’ response sparked anger, with a group of survivors hurling mud and insults at Spain’s King Felipe, who visited one of the worst-hit cities.
By the time authorities sent mobile phone warnings about the severity of the flooding and urged people to stay at home, many were already on the streets and in places like underground car parks that had turned into death traps.
The MotoGP race in Valencia, scheduled for later this month, was cancelled after floodwaters destroyed the track.
Thousands of volunteers helped clear the thick layer of mud from roads and homes.