In brief
Torrential rain in early October caused the Mapocho River to overflow, flooding the city of Talagante and surrounding areas. Police helicopters rescued dozens of trapped residents and their pets after roads turned into rivers overnight. The storm dumped over 74 mm of rain in the first week of the month, setting a record for October in the region. Local meteorologists warn that the 2026‑2027 El Niño will continue to bring extreme wet weather, heightening flash‑flood danger across the southern hemisphere. A body was recovered from a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, underscoring the severity of the event.
Police helicopters have airlifted dozens of residents from Talagante as torrential rains sent the Mapocho River over its banks.
The two‑hour storm in the Metropolitan Region released more than 74 mm of rain in the first week of October, a figure that eclipses the average for the month and marks the wettest Octobers in 76 years.
Santiago’s local meteorologists predict that the ongoing 2026‑2027 El Niño will continue to drive wet weather, high winds and storms throughout the southern‑hemisphere spring.
Authorities confirmed that a body was recovered from a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, though the exact cause of death remains under investigation.
Unlike the July floods, Talagante had not been evacuated prior to the storm, and dirt roads quickly turned into rivers, trapping homes and pets overnight.
Climate scientists warn that the strong El Niño could trigger above‑average rainfall in the region and exacerbate similar flash‑flood risks worldwide.
