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At least 10 people lost their lives, and over a thousand were evacuated as torrential rains submerged large parts of the port city of Bahía Blanca, Argentina, on Friday.
The deluge overwhelmed homes, hospitals, and roads, while authorities cut power to prevent further disaster.
The city, home to 350,000 people and located about 600 kilometres (375 miles) south of Buenos Aires, was battered by eight hours of continuous rainfall, receiving over 400 millimetres (15 inches) of rain—more than its average yearly total.
The extreme downpour forced the evacuation of the José Penna Hospital, with television footage showing medical staff carrying babies to safety from the neonatal unit.
The national government has approved emergency aid worth 10 billion pesos (approximately $9.2 million).
“This is something unprecedented,” said Buenos Aires province security minister Javier Alonso.
“The biggest storm in Bahía Blanca was in 1930, with 175 millimetres. This is almost three times bigger.”
The floodwaters, intensified by tidal currents from the nearby sea, swept through the city, carrying away vehicles and debris from damaged homes.
In response to the devastation, authorities in Argentina have deployed helicopters, boats, ambulances, and trucks loaded with supplies.
The Coast Guard has also joined the rescue operation using inflatable boats.
Meanwhile, Bahía Blanca’s airport has been closed indefinitely, and the meteorological service has warned of further storms.
The disaster is the latest in a string of climate-related catastrophes for Bahía Blanca. In December 2023, a windstorm killed 13 people, destroyed homes, and left widespread damage across the city.
