Spain's Catalonia on alert for 'mini-hurricane' as rain warnings intensify

Catalan leader Salvador Illa on Saturday warned that a "Mediterranean mini-hurricane" could form in the northeastern Spanish region as weather agencies issued red alerts for torrential rain.

"I urge maximum caution given the weather forecasts: a Mediterranean mini-hurricane could form in Catalonia," Illa wrote on US social media company X.

"Rain is already affecting much of the region. This afternoon we will announce important measures that must be followed."

He urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, streams and ravines, and avoid parking in flood-prone areas.

Spain's weather agency AEMET warned that rainfall could exceed 90 millimeters (3.5 inches) in an hour and 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) in less than six hours in parts of Barcelona and Girona provinces.

It forecast particularly severe conditions Saturday night and during the first half of Sunday, warning of possible flooding and surging rivers under its highest-level red alert.

Catalonia's weather service Meteocat issued red warnings for 17 districts Saturday, expanding to 20 on Sunday as the danger level rises from five to the maximum six on its six-point scale.

Authorities suspended all sporting competitions in 20 affected districts from Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon, while the regional culture department announced the suspension of outdoor cultural activities, according to local daily La Vanguardia.

A housing protest planned for Saturday in Barcelona was postponed until Monday evening because of weather warnings.

A parallel demonstration in Madrid drew some 70,000 people, according to authorities.

Barcelona activated its municipal emergency plan over concerns that drainage systems could be overwhelmed.

Rain already forced the closure of one platform at Liceu metro station and some entrances at other stations.

Meteocat officials warned that conditions could deteriorate sharply in the coming hours, potentially becoming an "exceptional" rainfall event.

The warnings came after a 102-year-old woman died and around 90 people were rescued Friday as flooding swept through the town of Madrigueras in Albacete province, southeastern Spain.

The town recorded 142 millimeters (5.6 inches) of rain, according to the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, cited by public broadcaster RTVE.

Water reached a meter (3.2 feet) deep inside the home where the woman died, while most rescues involved people trapped in flooded homes.