Dozens displaced by major floods in southern counties return to their homes

The southernmost towns in Catalonia woke up on Thursday to the destruction caused by heavy rains and flash floods a day earlier, which forced the evacuation of 83 people, inundated roads and train rails, and left thousands without electricity.

"It’s a bit catastrophic—we didn’t expect that much rain," says Laia Grau, a resident of Alcanar, a town by the Ebre river delta bordering the Valencia region. "Older and lower houses, like ours, have been flooded. We were really scared."

Civil protection authorities say mobility can resume, as all roads and train lines are back in operation, but urge caution and ask residents to avoid all nonessential travel since emergency staff continues to work in the area.