Deadly Chile storms leave 13 dead, thousands homeless, $400M in damage

A severe weather system that battered Chile for over a week has left 13 people dead, caused an estimated $400 million in economic losses, and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes. The storm, attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, affected ten of the country's 16 regions, with the hardest-hit areas in the northern Coquimbo and Atacama regions.

What happened

The system, described as the worst in 40 years for some areas, brought torrential rain, strong winds, and flooding from July 14. Over 60,000 people were isolated due to road cuts, and more than 170,000 lost electricity at the peak Source: cnn. In Coquimbo, some areas received more rain in one hour than typically falls in a month Source: infobae.

The response

President José Antonio Kast declared a state of catastrophe in Coquimbo and the province of Huasco, allowing military deployment and faster aid distribution Source: elnacionalve. Recovery efforts include clearing roads and delivering supplies, but about 60,000 people remained isolated as of July 24 Source: euronewses.

Economic impact

The consulting firm Colliers estimated total damage at $400 million, with major losses in agriculture and infrastructure Source: infobae. The retail sector lost an estimated $20-25 million Source: infobae. However, the rains also replenished reservoirs, potentially securing water for irrigation and consumption for two to four years in some areas Source: larepublicaco.