The rain continued incessantly until 4:00 PM. According to the mayor of Bahía Blanca, Federico Susbielles, in approximately an hour and a half, the city experienced heavy rainfall that caused flooding on numerous streets. Around 10 AM, the Maldonado Canal and the Napostá Stream overflowed, practically flooding the entire city and causing a loss of 70% of its operational capacity.
Rescue teams continued working with mechanical shovels at various points in the city. When the Navy arrived, they began operations in the most complicated areas. The mayor highlighted that the most affected areas were General Daniel Cerri and the central area of Bahía Blanca, severely impacted by the overflow of the mentioned canals.
The devastating storm that hit Bahía Blanca has claimed the lives of 16 people. According to Mayor Susbielles, the overflow of the Maldonado Canal and the Napostá Stream caused a massive loss in the city's operational capacity. The significant rainfall began impacting the region around 9:30 PM.
The mayor mentioned that the storm left the city practically isolated, destroying important parts of the access roads. The Navy and the Army intervened in the rescue efforts. Critical areas such as the Penna Hospital and the Elderly Home were evacuated. Several vehicles were trapped and rendered unusable due to the rising water.
In total, more than 400 millimeters of rain fell on the city, equivalent to 70% of the average annual precipitation. The receiving channels accumulated a large volume of water, worsening the situation in sectors like Ingeniero White. The support from the province of Buenos Aires and the National Government for the assistance provided was appreciated.
The suspension of classes was requested from the provincial Ministry of Education. During a press conference, the municipal chief highlighted the difficult rescue work carried out until 10:00 AM and the inaccessibility of the situation after that moment. In the midst of an extreme situation, the city is struggling to recover from the devastation caused by the historic storm.
