Chilean Frontal System Causes Damage, Disruptions Across 10 Regions

A widespread frontal system is impacting ten regions of Chile, resulting in 48 people displaced, 157 sheltered, and three injuries as of today, according to Senapred, Chile’s National Emergency Office. Damage reported includes four homes destroyed, ten with major damage, 103 with minor damage, and 49 under evaluation.

Six emergency alerts were sent via the SAE messaging system Thursday, all concentrated in the Biobío Region.

Regional Impacts and Road Closures

The Atacama region has proactively closed parks and natural reserves, and the San Francisco border crossing. In Coquimbo, four homes in Monte Patria experienced roof damage due to strong winds, while a home and school in Salamanca suffered similar issues, with an additional home affected by a fallen tree. The Sistema Integrado Cristo Redentor (SICR) in Valparaíso is also preventatively closed.

The Metropolitan Region has closed all metropolitan parks and suspended mountain activities in tourist areas. Fallen trees have been reported in various communes of the capital city. Access to Farellones, San José de Maipo, Parque Metropolitano, Parque Cordillera, Quebrada de Macul, Alta Cordillera Fiscal and Río Colorado are closed, as are mountain routes G-21, Camino al Volcán, Cuesta Chada, Cuesta Los Ratones and Cuesta La Dormida. In Talagante, three shelters have been opened, a safety perimeter established due to potential landslides in the Ribera del Río camp, and fallen trees have suspended traffic toward Peñaflor, Olivieto, and Lonquén Sur. Puente Alto has opened a shelter and established a safety perimeter for potential landslides in the Valle Hermoso sector.

O’Higgins, Maule, and Ñuble Regions Affected

In O’Higgins, the caletas of Cardenal Caro province remain closed due to wave warnings. Fallen trees have been reported in Pichidegua, Santa Cruz and La Estrella. Route I-45 is preventatively closed in the Termas del Flaco sector. San Fernando established a 20-kilometer safety perimeter due to landslide threats in the Termas del Flaco area and along Route I-45. Placilla closed Route I40 at kilometer 12.7, connecting Placilla and San Fernando, due to a sinkhole and potential roadbed displacement.

The Maule Region reports 20 families without vehicular access in the Santa María sector of Parral. Damage occurred at the Constitución Canotaje pier due to waves, and roof damage has been reported in Pelarco, with five people displaced in Santa Margarita. Access remains restricted on routes L-45 Linares Cordillera, Molina to Radal, and Romeral to Cordillera; the Pehuenche and Vergara passes are also closed.

According to Carabineros de Chile, the Ñuble region is experiencing flooding on rural roads in San Carlos, Cobquecura, Ñiquén and Coihueco, without affecting homes. Ninhue experienced a sewage collector collapse affecting one home; Portezuelo has three homes with minor damage. Coihueco is evaluating 16 homes in various sectors and reports downed power lines in Las Lumas. Three homes are under evaluation for flooding in San Carlos, one in Quillón’s Coyanco sector, and two in Trehuaco’s El Arrayán and Mela, with a shelter opened in Cobquecura. Route disruption is reported at kilometer 5 on the road to San Camilo, San Carlos, due to a sinkhole, and at the entrance to Villa Andes towards Flor de Quihua due to water accumulation. Routes N-67 (Zapallar sector) and N-40 (towards Quirihue) are open.

Biobío and La Araucanía Face Significant Impacts

In the Biobío Region, 30 people are displaced in Alto Biobío with four homes suffering major damage. Tomé reports four people displaced, one home with major damage, four destroyed, 20 with minor damage, and 118 under evaluation. Talcahuano reports 70 homes with minor flooding damage; Santa Juana, three homes with minor damage; and Lota, one person injured by a falling tree. Concepción has experienced fallen trees and street flooding. Coronel has requested emergency roaming activation for communications on Santa María Island. The Los Ángeles R-Q-533 badén is closed due to increased water flow in the Cuel channel, and Curanilahue reports flooding in low-lying areas and two homes, along with septic tank overflows in the El Pescador sector. Route Q-61 (Los Ángeles to Alto Biobío) remains open with caution in one lane. The Pichachén border complex is closed.

In La Araucanía, eight rural health services lack water due to power outages, and one due to a pump failure. Cunco reports minor damage to one home, while Teodoro Schmidt experienced a landslide on the Porma-Chaicayen road, with the Porma-Estación Toltén rural route (69E–564) also interrupted. Galvarino reports nine displaced and four homes with major damage due to flooding from sewer collapse and roof damage. Lumaco maintains a municipal shelter open. Ercilla reports minor damage to one home; a preventative evacuation occurred in Angol due to rising water levels in the Huequén River; Villarrica has two homes with minor damage; Pitrufquén is evaluating one home; and Freire reported two injuries from a tree falling on a car. Routes CH-199 (km 66, Villarrica), R-807 (Mallín del Treile-Rincoanada, Lonquimay), R-90-P (Lumaco-Capitán Pastene), and border crossings Pino Hachado, Icalma, and Mamuil Mamal are all closed.

Did You Know? Six emergency alerts were sent via the SAE messaging system Thursday, all focused on the Biobío Region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What regions are currently impacted?

Ten regions of Chile are currently impacted: Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitan, O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, and La Araucanía.

What types of damage have been reported?

Reported damage includes 48 people displaced, 157 sheltered, three injuries, four homes destroyed, ten with major damage, 103 with minor damage, and 49 homes under evaluation.

Are any border crossings closed?

Yes, the San Francisco border crossing in Atacama, the Sistema Integrado Cristo Redentor (SICR) in Valparaíso, and the border crossings Pino Hachado, Icalma and Mamuil Mamal in La Araucanía are closed.

What steps will you take to stay informed and prepared as the frontal system continues to move across the country?