The tramontana forced the evacuation of the Riembau campsite in Platja d"Aro this Sunday after a branch fell inside the premises, an incident that left a man slightly injured. The Firefighters' operation was activated at 10:21 a.m. and, after assessing the situation, the Local Police informed the property that it had to empty the campsite due to the risk associated with the strong wind.
The emergency services attended to the affected person at the same campsite. He had minor injuries and refused transfer to a health center. After receiving assistance, he was relocated to another area of the premises.
"The injured person has suffered a scratch on the nose" Imma Gelabert, director of Riembau campsite
Preventive closure of wooded areas
The establishment preventively closed for the rest of the day the two areas with trees, a decision adopted out of caution given the strength of the tramontana. Clients who were staying in the affected area were offered accommodation in another part of the campsite.
"The measure to close the area where the tree has fallen, and two more where there are pines, has been totally preventive" Imma Gelabert, director of Riembau campsite
The clients who were in the closed area were awaiting communication if they will be able to return this Monday. The decision will depend on the meteorological evolution and on the wind forecasts. Many of the people who were staying at the campsite opted to return to their homes, as they were mostly from Catalonia. El Riembau had opened on Saturday, just one day before the incident.
VENTCAT activated and forecast of very intense gusts
The episode occurred with the VENTCAT plan in alert phase, activated by CECAT between March 28 and 31. The Castell Platja d"Aro City Council had already warned of strong and sustained wind since Sunday morning.
The municipal forecast pointed to gusts exceeding 70 km/h for many hours, with occasional bursts of between 100 and 120 km/h. For Monday morning, a slow loss of intensity was expected, although still with winds of 70 to 80 km/h. Looking ahead to Tuesday, March 31, the forecast indicated a new strengthening of the tramontana, with a risk of exceeding 80 or 90 km/h.
Incidents due to the wind in other points of the municipality
The storm also left broken branches and fallen trees in several points of Platja d"Aro. In the commercial area of the municipality, damages were registered due to the fall of trees.
"Some banana tree fell in the area in front of Lidl and Decathlon" witness
The situation was marked by intense wind throughout the day, with special vigilance in areas with trees and awaiting to check if the foreseen improvement allows reopening the closed areas of the campsite in the coming hours.