Barcelona Airport flights cancelled amid ‘red alert’ warning during flash floods

Barcelona Airport flights were cancelled due to a ‘red alert’ being issued during flash floods in the area. The storms in Spain led to severe flooding at El-Prat, Barcelona’s main airport, as well as in surrounding areas. The country’s weather service issued a ‘red’ alert for rain, advising locals not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Passengers at the airport were observed wading through water that entered the terminal. Live departures board displayed numerous cancelled flights today, with significant delays for those still operating, including services by British Airways and Iberia Airlines to London.

Aena, the company managing El-Prat, confirmed in a statement that the airport had activated its Crisis Committee to monitor the impact of the storms. The airport’s operations were significantly affected by the severe weather, resulting in diverted arrival flights and numerous cancellations and delays for departure flights. Water also entered some areas of the terminals, particularly in Terminal 1’s public area and the car park. Access to the airport via Rodalies and Metro services was suspended by their respective operators, leading departing passengers to be redirected to alternative transportation options.

Authorities are working diligently to manage the chaotic weather conditions in Barcelona. An alert sent to mobile phones in the city warned of ‘extreme and continued rainfall’ anticipated in the southern outskirts. Footage depicted water flowing into the departures hall at Barcelona Airport and cascading from ceilings. One stranded passenger, Craig, shared his experience of delays and lack of information regarding his flight back to Birmingham. The recurrent storms in eastern Spain caused significant flooding last week, resulting in casualties near the Valencia region. Barcelona Airport was not the only area impacted, as several highways were closed due to flooding, and commuter trains in northeast Catalonia were suspended.

In a separate incident in Valencia, the search is ongoing for missing individuals, with volunteers and authorities assisting in the cleanup of the aftermath. Tragically, two elderly Britons who lost their lives in the Valencia floods have been identified by their daughter. Ruth O’Loughlin confirmed the deaths of her parents, Don Turner, 78, and Terry Turner, 74, who were found in their car following the flooding. The community continues to rally together amidst the devastation, with ongoing efforts to restore normalcy to the affected areas.

Insights and Summary:
The flash floods in Barcelona have not only disrupted travel plans for passengers but have also highlighted the devastating impact of severe weather events on communities. The necessity of robust emergency response plans and infrastructure resilience to cope with such natural disasters is evident in these situations. Articles like these serve as a reminder of the importance of climate adaptation and disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the risks posed by extreme weather events. It also underscores the resilience and solidarity shown by individuals and authorities in the face of adversity, working together to navigate and recover from such challenges.