Hurricane-force winds hit Ripollès and Northern Catalonia

Emergency services respond to over 300 calls as wind speeds reach 160 km/h, causing road closures and safety alerts.

Generic image of a mountain road blocked by a fallen tree during a severe windstorm.
IA

Generic image of a mountain road blocked by a fallen tree during a severe windstorm.

A severe northern windstorm has battered Northern Catalonia this Sunday, with gusts exceeding 160 km/h in high altitudes, leading to multiple road closures in the Ripollès region.

Data from the Catalan Meteorological Service confirmed peak gusts of 167.4 km/h in Portbou. In response, Civil Protection issued ES-Alert mobile notifications to residents in Alt Empordà, Berguedà, and Ripollès, advising against outdoor activities.
The storm has significantly impacted local infrastructure. Fallen trees have blocked the N-260 highway near Ribes de Freser and several regional roads. Additionally, heavy snow has forced the closure of coll de la Creueta and made snow chains mandatory on several mountain passes.
The 112 emergency line handled 340 calls by mid-morning, while Firefighters attended over 150 incidents, mostly in the Girona area. Despite the structural damage, including a collapsed scaffold in Roses, no injuries have been reported so far.