Powerful storms dumped over 400 millimeters of rain across different parts of Buenos Aires province on Friday and early Saturday, causing floods and roadblocks in several cities. At least 10 cities were evacuated, forcing over 2,500 people to leave their homes. 

At the time of writing, no casualties have been reported.

Buenos Aires City also saw heavy rain, with over 170 millimeters since Friday, almost doubling May’s average. According to the city government, only “minor incidents” were reported, and more than 2,300 agents continue to work and respond until the rainfall ends.

Zárate, Campana, Exaltación de la Cruz, Capitán Sarmiento, and San Antonio de Areco were the most affected towns in BA province. Some areas were affected by ankle-deep floods as more than 260 millimeters fell in less than 24 hours. Zárate Mayor Marcelo Matzkin signed a decree suspending all public and mass activities and prohibiting the transit of heavy transport during the weekend.

Water also accumulated, causing total roadblocks on highways 8 and 9 and jamming the access to some localities. Due to the storm’s persistence, the civil defense department has recommended that people avoid traveling in the north and west of the province.

In a press conference, Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof said that the provincial security minister and other officials participated in the rescues. He added that he spoke with National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who visited affected areas in Zárate. 

Kicillof asked citizens not to circulate in the most affected areas and said that the rains were comparable to those that flooded Bahía Blanca earlier this year and La Plata in 2013. “This was absolutely extraordinary,” he said. “The critical situation is likely to extend into tonight, maybe longer. It has to do with movements of a cold front that can also bring windstorms.”

BA Province Community Development Minister Andrés Larroque said that the initial assistance also consisted of giving people 66,000 kg of food, 3,500 mattresses, 3,500 blankets, 5,000 jerry cans of water, and 2,500 cleaning kits.”

Civil Defense Director Fabián García declared that the rainfall “exceeded all forecasts, not only in quantity, but also in time.” Despite the concern, García said the situation is “far from being like the Bahía Blanca floods.”