Severe Storm Lashes Catalonia and Menorca Leaving Thousands Without Power

A storm bringing wind and snow struck Catalonia and Menorca on Sunday, March 15, 2026, leaving between three and four people with minor injuries, cutting power to thousands, and generating nearly a thousand incidents by midday, according to multiple Spanish media reports.

Emergency services across Catalonia responded to close to incidents by midday, according to El Confidencial. Thousands of residents lost electricity as the storm swept through the region, 20 minutos reported. The number of minor injuries varied across sources: El País and 20 minutos reported three, while ABC and Europa Press cited four, with all outlets agreeing the injuries were minor. Roads were closed and trees were brought down across the region as wind gusts battered infrastructure throughout the day. By Sunday afternoon, 140 (wind warnings) — wind warnings issued in Catalonia on Sunday afternoon wind warnings had been issued in Catalonia, according to Europa Press. Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, is regularly exposed to severe wind events, particularly the Tramuntana and Mestral winds that can reach damaging speeds across the region and the Balearic Islands. The Balearic archipelago, which includes Menorca, sits in the western Mediterranean and is subject to rapid weather deterioration during spring transition periods. Menorca, the easternmost of the main Balearic islands, is administered by the Consell Insular de Menorca, based in Mahón.

Menorca placed under red alert as roofs collapse Menorca bore some of the most severe damage, with Spanish authorities placing the island under a red alert as the storm caused fallen trees, roof collapses, and road closures, La Razón reported. The red alert designation indicated conditions at the highest level of meteorological risk, requiring residents to take precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary travel. Trees came down across the island, blocking roads and posing hazards to vehicles and pedestrians. Roof sections were torn away from buildings, adding to the scale of structural damage recorded during the event. The combination of high winds and the island's exposed position in the northeastern Mediterranean made Menorca particularly vulnerable to the storm system that moved through the region on Sunday.

Rail services on R11 disrupted then restored Rail services on the Rodalies de Catalunya R11 line were disrupted by the storm before being restored, Europa Press reported. The restoration of circulation on the R11 line came after the storm had caused interruptions to service, affecting commuters relying on the suburban rail network. The R11 is one of several lines operated under the Rodalies network, which serves the Barcelona metropolitan area and surrounding Catalan territories. The disruption to rail services added to the broader picture of transport difficulties caused by the storm, which also included road closures in both Catalonia and Menorca. Authorities worked to restore normal operations across affected infrastructure as the storm continued through the afternoon hours of Sunday.

Over 140 wind warnings issued as storm persisted into afternoon The scale of the meteorological event became clearer as Sunday afternoon progressed, with Europa Press reporting that more than 140 wind warnings had been issued across Catalonia by that point in the day. Power outages affecting thousands of residents remained one of the most widespread consequences of the storm, with electricity supply disrupted across multiple areas of the region. Road closures compounded the difficulties for residents and emergency responders trying to navigate affected areas. The combination of wind and snow made conditions particularly challenging in parts of Catalonia, where the two weather phenomena together caused a broader range of damage than wind alone would have produced. Emergency services continued to respond to incidents throughout the afternoon as the storm system worked its way through the region.