The month of January 2026 has been particularly unstable in Catalonia, with maritime storms, intense rainfall, and snowfalls that forced Civil Protection (Protecció Civil) to use the emergency alert system. This channel, operational since February 2023, sent five warning messages between January 18 and 24.
“"It allows people to exercise extreme caution and adopt safety measures if necessary. It is used when there is a situation that can be detrimental to people's lives or health."
The five alerts covered various risks and regions, including the first ES-Alert for intense snowfalls on January 24, which affected Cerdanya, Ripollès, Berguedà, Solsonès, and Moianès. Previously, warnings were sent for maritime storms in Alt and Baix Empordà, and for flood risk in Gironès and Selva.
Deputy Director Imma Solé highlighted the system's consolidation, which registered 75 alerts in 2025 (59 for real risk), nearly double the 36 sent in 2024. Furthermore, Civil Protection is working to implement a new "less strident" warning model intended for pre-alert situations, seeking greater variability and adaptation to sensitivities.
