Bahía Blanca, a city in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, is reeling from one of the most devastating weather events in its history, with 16 confirmed fatalities and extensive material losses due to severe flooding that has affected 70% of the city.

The big picture:

The storm brought unprecedented rainfall, with approximately 300 millimeters falling in just a few days—more than double the historical monthly average. The flooding has left over 1,450 people evacuated and more than 500 families homeless, prompting a significant humanitarian response from local and national authorities.

 

What they're saying:

  • One victim recounted, "My house flooded, and the water reached my ankles. I lifted what I could and put my dogs on the bed, staying there with them. The water kept rising until it reached the top of the bed. Desperate, I called the police and screamed for my neighbor, having a panic attack because I didn’t know what to do."
  • Marina, the mother of the missing girls, pleaded on social media, “They need to come back to us, their parents, now.”
  • Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof announced, "We are providing $800,000 in grants for low-income households and loans of up to $10 million for those needing to rebuild their homes."

 

Key points:

  • Over 1,450 people evacuated, and more than 500 families were left homeless.
  • The government declared three days of national mourning and allocated $10 billion for reconstruction.
  • Community efforts are underway to provide aid, though some locals report issues with donation distribution.

 

Go deeper:

As Bahía Blanca faces the aftermath of this catastrophic flooding, the focus remains on the urgent search for missing individuals and the support of affected families. The government's commitment to financial aid and infrastructure repair is crucial, but the community's resilience and solidarity will play a vital role in the recovery process. 

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