Santiago, Chile – Video filmed by Mark Meneses, a Chilean resident of Santiago, shows the immediate aftermath of intense rainfall that triggered flash flooding at the intersection of Avenida El Conquistador and Diego Barros Ortiz in the Maipu district.

The flooding followed a severe storm on January 31, 2026, when more than 17 millimeters of rain fell in less than an hour. Drainage systems were overwhelmed, quickly turning streets into fast-moving waterways.

In the first scene, a man is stranded on his bicycle in waist-deep muddy floodwater, struggling to remain upright beside a nearly submerged pedestrian crossing sign and a palm tree. Residential buildings appear partially reflected in the rippling water behind him.

Another scene moves across a flooded park or square, where people wade through shallow water along grassy edges. Floating debris, including green trash bins, drifts past submerged vehicles in the distance, while a voice asks, “How about the square?”

A third view shows a wider street scene at dusk, with several cars half-submerged, people navigating knee-deep water, and reflections of a pink-toned sunset on the surface. The footage illustrates how rapidly the flooding rose, trapping vehicles and disrupting traffic.

According to reports, the flooding was part of a broader flash flood crisis across western Santiago. Overflow from the Santa Marta canal worsened conditions along roads such as Camino a Melipilla, where vehicles were swept away, power outages affected thousands, and more than 700 families reported homes flooded up to 1.5 meters deep, resulting in total losses of belongings, vehicles, and pets.

Authorities declared parts of the region a disaster area as emergency crews worked to remove sediment, restore power, and assess damage using the Ficha Basica de Emergencia. Residents described the flooding as a “tsunami” that struck within 20 minutes. The unusual summer rainfall, linked to a high isotherm, also activated ravines in eastern areas such as Lo Barnechea, highlighting weaknesses in urban infrastructure.

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