‘WORST STORM OF THIS CENTURY’: Spain’s beaches completely disappear as the storm takes full control

THE Head of the Beach Service in Barcelona (AMB), Spain, has stated that the storm is the ‘worst experienced this century.’

Speaking on Betevé Radio today (January 21), Dani Palacios stated that the beaches alongside the coasts of Catalonia had suffered intensely, with many of them completely disappearing under the waves, where in some cases the sea has travelled up to 3 kilometres inland.

Palacios stated that many had lost their sand due to the waves reaching up until the promenades and has predicted that the damage will be ‘considerably higher than expected’.

Barcelona has experienced extreme weather conditions, with authorities ordering there closure of all accesses to the beach after a wave on 7 metres high was recorded yesterday. Their power has devastated walkways, signage and nearby bars and restaurants, where in Port Olímpic a boat even sunk.  

Es comencen enfonsar barcos!!! @PortOlimpic #temporal #llevant #Gloria #barcelona 🎥 @AzulSailing @eltempsTV3 @324cat @elsmatins pic.twitter.com/Sm6nDMQElt

— josep muray (@dvcpros) January 21, 2020

Tossa de Mar in Girona has also been completely devastated with the beach completely disappearing and the waves causing a natural phenomenon in the streets. Alarming footage has been posted to social media which shows foam and organic matter generated from the waves reaching to a great height up the front door of homes.

🌊 Impressionnante tempête d'écume dans les rues de Tossa de Mar en Catalogne, générée par la forte houle et les vents violents de la tempête Gloria. (via @silviaragolta) pic.twitter.com/atFeaYfAKd

— Guillaume Séchet (@Meteovilles) January 21, 2020

Trabucador beach in Ebro Delta has literally disappeared where the force of the storm has penetrated the water inland, flooding 3,000 hectares of land and causing devastation to farmers. 

The Mayor of Deltebre, Lluís Soler, explained that the Ebro river has overflowed in the Garxal area with Bassa de l’Arena beach being swallowed by salt water, remarking that “nothing like this has ever been seen before.”

La mar engoleix bona part del litoral del Delta en una de les pitjors llevantades que es recorda. Informa @SofiaCabanes. Vídeo cedit per @DaniRajadell https://t.co/FWD3hKoX0k pic.twitter.com/DgOhygz7BI

— aguaita.cat (@aguaitacat) January 21, 2020

In much of Catalonia, an emergency plan has been activated, with residents advised to stay away from the seafront and to avoid driving due to the extreme danger posed. Heavy rainfall is expected to take Strom Gloria into a devastating phase two, where combined winds are set to cause destruction to the region. The Military Emergency Unit (UME) has also been activated in Teruel and Zaragoza to ensure the safety of citizens.

Shattered promenades and the sea surpassing the outer docks protecting the ports have stunned local fisherman in the region, with many stating that they have not seen a phenomenon in their entire life such as what has taken place over the last few days.