Buenos Aires Herald 
Update, Tuesday, May 20: The body of Pablo Catacata Madrigal, who was missing after being swept away when a bridge collapsed, was recovered on Monday. The body of Antonella Barrios, who was with him, was found on Tuesday, bringing the number of dead to three.
A 78-year-old man died on Route 41, near San Antonio de Areco, amid intense storms and flooding that affected several towns in the province of Buenos Aires throughout the weekend. As of Sunday, May 18, more than 2,900 people had been evacuated and three are still missing, according to official data from the provincial government.
The National Weather Service (SMN) has lifted the red alert it had issued for northern Buenos Aires and southern Santa Fe, although a yellow alert for storms and strong winds has been issued for six other provinces.
According to Fabián García, director of the Buenos Aires province Civil Defense unit, the deceased person is originally from Pilar and was caught in the flood while driving his vehicle on Route 41.
A search is also underway for three more people. Two of them are a young couple from the town of Rojas, who, according to initial reports, were swept away by the current while horseback riding. The third is a person who jumped into a stream in Bernal, Quilmes.
The missing youths were identified as Antonella Barrios and Pablo Catacata Madrigal, who were riding horses while herding pigs in a rural area, on Estancia “Las Polvaredas”. Both of them were on a bridge that collapsed, and disappeared after falling into the water and getting swept away by the current.
“There are currently 2,938 people evacuated in 21 municipalities (at 8:30 a.m.). After last night’s [Saturday] storm, the water level is receding in all areas, and people are beginning to return to their homes,” the Buenos Aires government stated on Sunday.
“The government of the province of Buenos Aires continues its coordinated efforts across different management areas to provide a rapid response to the emergency and is strengthening its presence in the districts to gradually begin the reconstruction phase,” they added.
Bridges and Routes
The National Highway Administration (Vialidad Nacional), the Ministry of National Security, and the Entre Ríos province Justice Department confirmed that they have lifted the closure of the Zárate-Brazo Largo bridge. According to official reports, the lift was enacted on late Saturday and early Sunday, May 18. Security forces are responsible for assisting traffic, which continues to be slow due to the adverse weather conditions affecting the area.
According to a Monday report from Vialidad Nacional, there are still floods on National Routes 8 and 9. In an official statement, the agency indicated that Route 8 is open to traffic, although drivers should proceed with caution.
On Route 9, there is a complete road closure heading toward Rosario at kilometers 84 and 94, in the Zárate area, one of the municipalities most affected by the storm. Road closures also remain in the Buenos Aires direction at kilometer 128, in the town of Alsina. Also, traffic is completely closed in both directions from between kilometers 100 and 124, and at kilometer 231 toward the San Nicolás district.
With information from Ámbito.com
