Emergency Funds for Storm-Damaged Municipalities
The Barcelona Provincial Council (Diputació de Barcelona) has approved an additional allocation of €5 million to support municipalities impacted by intense rainfall in September and October 2026. The funding, approved at the council’s plenary session on Tuesday 3rd November, will be channelled through the existing municipal emergency support programme to cover extraordinary expenses caused by storm damage. Local authorities in affected areas can use the funds for immediate clean-up operations, removal of debris, repair of damaged infrastructure, and restoration of public services. The worst-hit regions include Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Vallès Oriental, Maresme, and Alt Penedès, where landslides, fallen trees, blocked drainage systems, and flooding have disrupted transport and municipal operations.
Recovery Efforts Underway Across the Province
Storm episodes in early October caused significant damage to public facilities, natural spaces, and municipal infrastructure. In Vallès Oriental, for example, the entire comarca was confined on Monday due to extreme weather, with 84% of businesses reporting losses, according to a Pimec survey. The emergency number 112 received 1,356 incident reports by 6 PM on 5 October, with the majority in Barcelonès and Vallès Oriental. The new funding complements a broader €75 million aid package announced by the Generalitat on 5 October 2026. That package includes €20 million for municipalities, €5 million for self-employed workers and SMEs, and €50 million in preferential loans via the Catalan Finance Institute (ICF). Municipalities can apply for these subsidies through EACAT, the Generalitat’s digital portal, within one month of the end of the heavy rains.
The allocation of 5 million euros aims to help local authorities cope with the expenses arising from these meteorological events, in accordance with the conditions established in the municipal emergency support program.
Next Steps for Affected Town Councils
Local councils will have 18 months from the date of advance payment to complete recovery works, with a possible nine-month extension if justified. The Diputació de Barcelona will assess damage in coordination with Protecció Civil and other regional bodies to ensure swift disbursement. Town councils are advised to document all storm-related expenditures to meet eligibility criteria. Affected municipalities are also encouraged to monitor the status of the INUNCAT flood alert plan, which remained in emergency phase during the October storms. The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya continues to forecast variable conditions, with potential for further rainfall in the coming weeks.
Sources: Diputació de Barcelona, Ara, diaricatalunya.cat, Pollar Editorial.
