TAKING STOCK Of Unrelenting Storm Gloria In Spain

THE harshness of the storm Gloria is unrelenting. Gigantic waves have swallowed up different beaches on the coast and the water has taken over many streets, flooding homes and businesses, leaving residents isolated and leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

Some villages have been buried by heavy snowfalls, more than 200 roads have been affected, thousands of students have been left without classes and, in a freezing atmosphere, many people have had to face power cuts in their homes.

Taking stock, storm Gloria has left winds of up to 144 kilometres per hour, rain accumulations of 200 litres per square meter, waves of 14 meters high and has collapsed the thermometers, with temperatures plunging below 11 degrees zero.

The potent storm has battered Spain, bringing powerful winds, pounding waves and plentiful precipitation as it swirls through the western Mediterranean. More harsh weather is in the offing as the storm stalls, eventually drifting westward by tomorrow, Thursday, as it re-emerges into the eastern Atlantic. It’s expected that the unusual system will finally diminish by the weekend.

The worst of the storm, FIVE deaths and FOUR missing people

Today, alerts are being maintained for rain, wind, snow and coastal phenomena in the centre and east of the country. Also in Galicia. The risk is extreme in Catalonia due to strong waves and in Teruel and inland Castellón due to snowfalls. However, temperatures are rising.

Barcelona, Gerona, Tarragona and Menorca will be at significant risk by waves of five to seven meters high. For its part, Alicante, Castellon, Valencia, A Coruña, Lugo, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera will be at risk by waves of between three and four meters high.

Malaga, Barcelona, Lerida and Tarragona and Girona are under alert for heavy rainfall.

Forty people have had to be evacuated from Hostalric, Girona, due to the risk of the Tordera River overflowing and the camping of the Ribera de Cabanes was evacuated after becoming flooded. Two other campsites in La Ribera have also been affected by the rain and the sea storm.

The storm is causing delays and interruptions on six Rodalies de Cataluña train lines, and on Long Distance and AVE trains. Adif also suspended the circulation of trains on the Catalan R1 and RG1 suburban lines between Arenys de Mar and Maçanet-Massanes due to the adverse weather conditions.

About 60 roads have been cut off by the snow, including the A-23 in Teruel and Zaragoza.

The storm in Catalonia has left historic gusts of wind, up to 144.4 kilometres per hour at Puig Sesolles station on the Montseny, as well as almost 200 litres of accumulated water in Girona municipalities and waves of more than 10 metres, with a maximum of 14 metres registered offshore in front of the Ebro delta.