Government decreed red alert in Valparaíso due to high risk of floods and landslides
The storms that have hit Chile since Wednesday afternoon (July 15, 2026) have already left at least 4 people dead. The Undersecretary of the Interior, Máximo Pavez, confirmed the new balance on Friday (July 17, 2026).
The 4th victim was from the Valparaíso region, in the center of the country. The government declared a red alert in the region due to a high risk of floods and landslides, according to the news agency EFE. In total, 1,595 homes were affected by the rain, storm surge and winds that swept 10 of the country’s 16 regions.
The circumstances of the first 3 deaths were detailed by the government. One of the victims died when a tree fell while removing debris from a highway. Another fell from a roof while cleaning gutters. The 3rd died from an electrical discharge on a power pole.
On Thursday (Jul 16), more than half a million people were left without electricity in the country. The Ministry of Mines and Energy informed, through X, that there was “590,824 customers without electricity supply, which represents 7.3%” national total.
According to a note released on Friday night (Jul 18), the number had decreased to 476,833 customers without supply, which represents 5.9% of total customers.
In the Biobío region, around 500 km from the capital Santiago, the sea surge flooded houses close to the coast. The AFP agency found belongings scattered across the streets of the affected residential area. Dozens of ports also had to preventively restrict operations, due to the hangover and wind gusts that exceeded 100 km/h.
Government response
President José Antonio Kast mobilized emergency teams in different regions to contain the damage. The government also decreed the suspension of classes in 9 affected regions on Friday (17.Jul.2026).
The storm is expected to last at least until Sunday (19.Jul.2026).
Source: https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-internacional/chuvas-no-chile-matam-4-e-afetam-mais-de-1-500-casas/
