Bahía Blanca, Argentina, experienced severe flooding after a storm delivered over 270 mm of rain in four hours on March 7, 2025. Evacuations, including neonates from a hospital, were necessary due to rapid inundation. The area remains under a Red Alert as further rainfall is anticipated, with significant infrastructure damage and at least one reported death.
On March 7, 2025, Bahía Blanca in Buenos Aires Province experienced severe flooding due to a storm that delivered over 270 mm (10.6 inches) of rain within four hours. The heavy rainfall commenced at approximately 03:40 local time and inundated the city, disrupting power and necessitating evacuations, including that of infants from a neonatal unit in a local hospital.
Television reports depicted medical staff assisting in the evacuation of newborns with support from the Army. At least 40 families were forced to leave their homes, and authorities stressed that only heavy machinery could traverse the waterlogged streets. The region remains under a Red Alert as more rain is predicted, resulting in closures of schools and public transport operations until further notice.
Additionally, the Pampa region has been placed under the same Red Alert due to increased risks of extreme weather events. The flooding has inflicted widespread damage, leading to more than 680 evacuations across Buenos Aires Province, while emergency shelters have been established for displaced residents.
A report indicated one fatality linked to the flooding in Berazategui, prompting local authorities to investigate the situation. The severe weather has also inflicted damage on infrastructure, with at least 20 structures reported as compromised due to floods and related incidents.
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) issued multiple warnings, predicting additional rainfall of 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) and hazardous wind conditions, with gusts potentially exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph). Hailstorms are an additional threat to properties and agriculture in the affected regions. SMN escalated storm alerts, raising them to an Orange Level along the Buenos Aires coast, anticipating storm intensification and significant rainfall for the coming 72 hours.
In summary, Bahía Blanca faces devastating flooding as a severe storm brought substantial rainfall and necessitated emergency measures, including the evacuation of vulnerable populations. With further rainfall expected, local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide assistance to those affected. The Pampa region remains under high alerts for extreme weather, indicating the ongoing severity of the conditions in central-eastern Argentina.
Original Source: watchers.news