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Powerful Storm Strikes Central Chile, Four Dead

The DMC warns an intense atmospheric river could produce record July rainfall

Overview

  • The storm has reached peak intensity in central regions and has killed four people while leaving nearly 400,000 households without electricity, mostly in Valparaíso.
  • Authorities have placed 10 of Chile's 16 regions on alert and ordered preventive evacuations near the Marga Marga and Quilpué estuaries because of rising rivers and landslide risk.
  • The national disaster agency reported about 2,500 people remain isolated in Coquimbo and roughly 100 homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged, creating urgent shelter and access needs.
  • Interior subsecretary Máximo Pavez and President José Antonio Kast have mobilized emergency response and inspected affected areas as forecasts call for continued rain, strong winds and landslide danger through Sunday.
  • Chile's meteorological service says the event ranks among the most significant in recent years and warns drought-weakened rivers such as the Petorca can react quickly, raising the risk of sudden floods and major damage.