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Residents Battle Mud and Grief
Montornès del Vallès remains in recovery a week after being struck by severe flooding caused by torrential rains that swept across Catalonia. The Ca n’Ametller neighbourhood, where the Vallromanes stream overflowed due to rising waters in the Congost River, was among the worst affected areas. Residents are still removing tonnes of mud from homes, with many unable to return to normal life. "It’s been almost a week and we’re still taking mud out of our houses," said local resident Sergi Vélez in an interview with EL PERIÓDICO. Ground floors, garages and some first floors were inundated within minutes as the floodwaters surged through the area, compounded by a power outage that worsened conditions.
One Fatality, Ongoing Recovery
One of the three fatalities linked to the storms across Catalonia occurred in Montornès del Vallès. Firefighters confirmed on 4 October that they had recovered the body of a man from a flooded garage on Carrer dels Cirerers after his family raised the alarm. The man had returned home and died when he went down to the garage as floodwaters rose.
The situation is especially dramatic for the family of the neighbour who lost his life.
Vélez highlighted the immense pressure the family now faces, not only coping with grief but also dealing with insurance claims within a one-week deadline to assess and report damages. "Between the grief, the cleaning, and having to assess all the damage, they can’t cope," he said. Other homes in the area continue to suffer from damp, structural damage, and debris, while access to parts of Ca n’Ametller and the Can Vilaró plain remains blocked due to impassable roads.
Government Response and Aid Package
Catalan President Salvador Illa visited Montornès del Vallès on 4 October to assess the damage firsthand. He met with the bereaved family to offer condolences and toured several flooded homes in the affected street. Illa later announced that the Generalitat will approve an emergency aid package of €75 million during its executive council meeting on 5 October, with €20 million allocated directly to municipalities for repairs. Local services, Civil Protection, and the Forest Defense Groups (ADF) have been active in the clean-up, earning gratitude from residents. Despite progress, full recovery remains distant for many in this Vallès Oriental town.
Primary sources: gencat.cat, 36973438H. Reported by elperiodico.com, surinenglish.com, rac1.cat, diaricatalunya.cat, David Expósito J, barcelonapress.com, El Periódico Barcelona.
