Un Severe storm with hail, heavy rain and gusts of wind The storm completely disrupted Friday afternoon in the city of Salta and several nearby towns in the Lerma Valley. In a matter of minutes, water and rocks covered streets and sidewalks, causing significant flooding, property damage, and service disruptions.
According to official data and reports from various local media outlets, In just one hour, around 17 millimeters of rain accumulated., accompanied by gusts that reached 48 km/h an intense hailstormThe phenomenon found the provincial capital with temperatures above 31 degrees, which contributed to a marked instability situation that had already been warned about by the meteorological services.
Impact of the storm on the city of Salta
The most affected urban area was the southern area of the city of Salta, followed by northern sectors and several streets in the centerwhere water accumulated rapidly and seriously hampered traffic. The combination of hail, intense rainfall in a short period, and overwhelmed drains resulted in images of completely flooded roads and vehicles moving at very slow speeds.
One of the critical points was the Esteco canal, where the accumulation of water caused serious problems for residents and motoristsThose traveling along that artery had to dodge deep puddles, fallen branches and areas that were simply impassable, in a scenario that was repeated on other main roads.
From the beginning of the episode, the municipal emergency system recorded at least 22 calls The Salta Municipality reported five calls to the free hotline 105 regarding fallen branches and five other reports related to cable company poles. These reports helped organize operations to clear public roads and prevent accidents.
The brigades of the Undersecretariat of Citizen Protection They conducted constant patrols of the most affected neighborhoods, addressing emergencies related to leaning trees, low-hanging power lines, and unstable structures. Simultaneously, teams from the Secretariat of Social Development carried out door-to-door surveys to identify the needs of the affected families.
Many homes were reported water entering through roofs and patiosWhile in other cases there was more severe damage, with sheet metal blown off and leaks affecting furniture and appliances. Even so, by the end of the day, local authorities indicated that no evacuations had been ordered and that the preventive accommodation devices They remained active but unemployed.
Property damage, fallen trees and flooding
Urban infrastructure was also impacted by the storm. Police personnel had to intervene in the A telephone pole fell at the intersection of San Juan and Ayacucho streetsThe area was cordoned off with danger tape to prevent the passage of pedestrians and vehicles until the removal tasks were completed.
In another corner, A large tree collapsed onto the street at the intersection of San Juan and Talcahuano.The vehicle damaged a Toyota Corolla belonging to a 47-year-old woman. No injuries were reported, but the damage to the car was significant, according to witnesses who shared images on social media.
It was also recorded tree falls on power linesThis prompted authorities to issue specific warnings to residents to stay away from the power lines and immediately report any sparks or unusual noises. Large branches and vegetation debris were found scattered across the streets in various neighborhoods.
The accumulation of water was noticeable not only in the center, but also in main arteries and sectors already known for their vulnerability Due to heavy rains, drivers had to contend with deep puddles, overflowing drains, and obstacles in the road, while many pedestrians were forced to take refuge in shops or doorways while waiting for the water level to recede.
In neighborhoods like Villa San Antonio and Villas Chartas, as well as the area around Pellegrini and Tucumán streets and the Xamena resort areaneighbors reported hailstorm of varying sizesaccompanied by short but intense downpours. The shared images showed sidewalks covered in ice and water, creating an unusual scene even for a region accustomed to summer storms.
Complications in services and electricity
The storm had a direct effect on the electric service in different neighborhoods of the capital and nearby areasAreas such as La Viña and Coronel Moldes, among other adjacent areas, suffered power outages that lasted during part of the afternoon and early evening, in some cases linked to the burning of transformers and the fall of branches onto the power lines.
Concessionary companies such as LUSAL and EDESA deployed crews in the city center and surrounding areas to restore power as quickly as possible. The work included replacing damaged equipment, inspecting affected lines, and removing plant debris that could pose an additional risk.
In addition to the electrical problems, Telecommunications services were also disrupted The storm was caused by downed cable company poles and the movement of structures exposed to the wind. Internet and telephone service were disrupted in certain areas, hindering communication during the storm's peak.
Meanwhile, the free 105 hotline remained open. Promptness This channel will be used to receive reports of flooding, fallen trees, or road obstructions, with the aim of forwarding the most urgent cases to emergency and maintenance teams. This contact channel will remain active for the duration of the adverse weather conditions.
Despite the magnitude of the storm, authorities emphasized that No fatalities or serious injuries were directly associated with the incidentThe focus was mainly on material damage, the impact on traffic, and the need to restore normality as soon as possible in the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Yellow alert and weather situation in the province
El The National Meteorological Service (SMN) maintains a yellow alert for storms for much of the province of Salta, with different time zones and affected regions. The warning indicates the possibility of new storms of varying intensity, some locally severe, with heavy rainfall in short periods, hail, high frequency of rays and outstanding bursts.
According to the alert system, During the last hours of Friday and throughout Saturday, the warning will cover the entire provincial territory.For Friday night, the probability of storms is between 10% and 40%, and would remain in similar ranges during the early hours of Saturday, with a brief respite in the morning when the chance of precipitation would not exceed 10%.
However, Conditions could worsen again from Saturday afternoon and evening onwards.When the probability of new storms would increase to nearly 70%, maximum temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius are expected, a combination that again favors the formation of intense convective cells.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) forecasts that The yellow alert is mainly limited to the western part of the province...to the capital city. During the early hours of that day, isolated showers and storms are still possible, but with a downward trend in the probability of precipitation, which would range between 10% and 40% throughout the day.
Regarding the specific areas, the notice includes the Puna de Cachi, La Poma, Los Andes, Molinos, San Carlos and CafayateThe Pre-Puna region of Iruya, Orán, and Santa Victoria; as well as the valleys of Cachi, Cafayate, Chicoana, La Caldera, La Poma, Molinos, Rosario de Lerma, and San Carlos. Also under surveillance are the capital city, Cerrillos, Guachipas, La Viña, the lower areas of Chicoana, La Caldera, and Rosario de Lerma, and the mountainous region of Cafayate.
In these areas it is estimated Rainfall totals of between 20 and 40 millimeters, with the possibility of exceeding these values in some areas.In higher altitude areas, especially in the mountain range, some precipitation may fall as snow or hail, adding an additional risk factor. mountain trails and high passes.
The Lerma Valley and other areas also affected
Beyond the capital, the A storm with hail was felt in several towns in the Lerma Valleywhere problems with flooding, fallen branches, and intermittent power outages were also reported. According to warnings from the National Meteorological Service (SMN), the storms intermittently impacted departments such as Cerrillos, Rosario de Lerma, and Chicoana, among others.
During the period between 12 and 18 hours, Another yellow alert was extended to Anta, General Güemes, La Candelaria, Metán, Rosario de la Frontera and the Yungas of Iruya, Orán and Santa VictoriaFor these areas, forecasts predicted storms of varying intensity, some strong, with heavy rainfall in very short periods, occasional hail, and gusts that could reach 70 km/h.
The values of Accumulated rainfall for these areas is estimated to be between 40 and 70 millimetersHowever, the national agency does not rule out higher rainfall totals in certain specific areas. This situation necessitates continued vigilance over rivers and streams that respond rapidly to concentrated rainfall, with the risk of flash floods.
In several municipalities of the Lerma Valley, local emergency teams coordinated with the province and Civil Defense to monitor the most vulnerable sectors, especially those where steep slopes, saturated soils and the presence of houses near riverbeds or canals are combined.
Authorities insisted that, as long as the alert remains in effect, The public should pay attention to official announcements. and avoid unnecessary travel on rural roads or highways during periods of heavy rain, both due to the risk of landslides and the possible formation of mud and sudden potholes.
Recommendations from the authorities and preventive measures
Given the unstable situation and the damage recorded, The Municipality of Salta released a series of recommendations These measures are aimed at residents, businesses, and drivers. The main objective is to reduce the impact of further heavy rainfall and prevent accidents while the weather alert remains in effect.
Among the most notable measures is the No throwing away cans, bottles or waste that could clog storm drains, as well as the recommendation not to put out trash bags during a storm. Keeping storm drains clear and preventing trash from reaching the sewers is key to ensuring that water drains away more quickly.
In the case of works under construction, it was requested Secure sheet metal, bricks, braces, and other loose materials that can be lifted by the wind or displaced by water, which poses a double risk: on the one hand, for those who walk along the street and, on the other hand, for nearby electrical installations.
For those traveling by car, the recommendation is Remove vehicles from flood-prone areas and avoid driving on streets that already have significant water accumulation.If you have to drive, it is strongly recommended to do so at low speed, with the lights on at all times and maintaining a greater safety distance than usual.
The authorities recall that Rain reduces visibility and alters braking distances Regarding dry weather conditions, it is advisable to plan journeys with more leeway, check the condition of the tires and, if possible, postpone non-urgent trips during the times of greatest instability.
Meanwhile, municipal and provincial agencies indicated that the centers prepared to house potential evacuees They remain ready and operational should they be needed. So far, it has not been necessary to activate these devices, but the assistance and prevention operation will continue throughout the weekend unless the alerts change.
La free line 105 The hotline remains open for reporting floods, fallen trees, leaning utility poles, or any other obstructions on public roads. The advice is to not attempt to move heavy objects or objects in contact with power lines yourself, and to wait for the arrival of specialized personnel.
The succession of storms with hail, strong winds and concentrated rainfall The recent storms in Salta highlight, once again, the vulnerability of some urban and rural areas to increasingly extreme weather events. Friday's storm underscored the need to further strengthen drainage systems, utility networks, and emergency protocols, as well as the importance of community cooperation in minimizing damage when the weather deteriorates rapidly.
