Un Severe storm with hail in the AMBA (Greater Buenos Aires) It brought the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) to its knees after several days of intense heat and stifling humidity. In a matter of hours, the phenomenon left a panorama of Streets turned into rivers, cars trapped by the water, and neighborhoods plunged into darkness due to power outages.
The storm arrived after a sweltering Good Friday, with temperatures near 30°C and a heavy atmosphere that already foreshadowed abrupt changes. When the unstable front encountered that mass of warm, humid airHighly organized storms erupted, with hail, violent gusts and rainfall concentrated in a very short time.
A historic downpour: up to 80 mm in one hour
In several locations of southern part of the Buenos Aires metropolitan areaThe storm unleashed quantities of water that, under normal conditions, would accumulate over almost a month. In Lomas de Zamora, the municipality reported that... around 80 millimeters in just one hour, while in Ezeiza the rain gauges recorded about 70 mm in the same interval.
That volume of rain, combined with saturated drains, caused numerous arteries to become flooded. completely flooded and with traffic interruptedIn Lomas, the low-lying area of Temperley ended up covered by water and the authorities had to close the road to vehicles to prevent them from getting stranded.
The downpour was accompanied by hail and frequent electrical activityThis increased the risk of damage to homes and power lines. Many residents recounted how, within minutes, water began flooding into doorways, garages, and ground floors, forcing them to improvise barriers with boards, bags, and furniture.
Between 20 pm and 22 pm, the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) experienced the most critical phase of the episode: the National Meteorological Service (SMN) estimates that rainfall accumulated between 50 and 80 mm of precipitation In some sectors of the region, a figure that explains the magnitude of the flooding.
Escobar, Garín and El Cazador: gusts of up to 100 km/h and serious damage
If one had to pinpoint an epicenter of the damage, many eyes would point to the Escobar districtThere, the storm combined torrential rain with extremely violent winds, with gusts that reached 100 kilometers per hour According to local reports, the result was a long chain of material damages, some of them significant.
The zones of Garín, Belén de Escobar and the El Cazador neighborhood They were among the hardest hit. Numerous residents reported roofs blown off houses, damaged structures and shattered windows in businesses in the city center. On several streets, uprooted trees and fallen poles completely blocked the road.
Residents told local media that the wind "swept everything away" and that, in some cases, sheets of roofing material were hurled several meters, hitting nearby vehicles and facades. Videos circulated on social media showing the scene. medium-sized hail falling with force and gusts capable of displacing street furniture.
Given the extent of the damage, the municipality activated a crisis committee which brought together Civil Defense, the Municipal Police, traffic personnel, and emergency services. Their priority has been to clear streets and mark off high-risk areas. downed high-voltage power lines and assist families with severe damage to their homes.
Quilmes, Lomas and Ezeiza: cars underwater, streets like rivers and leaks
At the southern part of AMBAThe storm left behind scenes that are repeated every time torrential rains occur in a short period of time. QuilmesSeveral main avenues were literally turned into rivers; some sections remained with vehicles almost completely submerged in waterfloating or displaced from their place.
Videos shared by residents of Quilmes showed Trees uprooted and swept away by the currentas well as garbage containers and street furniture displaced several meters down the street. In areas such as Andrés Baranda Avenue, the power outage left sections completely dark in the middle of the storm.
En Lomas de zamora The scene wasn't much better either: in neighborhoods near the center, the water rose above the curb and Numerous city blocks were left under several centimeters of waterSome businesses were flooded almost to the height of the counters, resulting in significant economic losses.
En ezeizaIn addition to flooding in residential neighborhoods, the following were reported: fallen trees, downed light poles and damage to lightweight structuresA security booth was even displaced several meters by the force of the wind, according to witnesses in the area.
Added to all this is leaks and drips in sensitive installations, including Ezeiza Airport, where images of water entering certain areas once again highlighted the impact of this type of phenomenon on key infrastructure.
Massive power outages: more than 16.000 users affected
The impact on the electrical grid was immediate. Between fallen trees, flying debris, and hail, numerous medium- and low-voltage lines suffered outages. According to data from the National Electricity Regulatory Entity (ENRE), the The peak number of users without power occurred in the early morning, around 3 a.m., when there were around 30.000 homes and businesses without electricity.
Of that total, approximately 18.000 corresponded to the Edenor area and about 12.000 to the Edesur areaAs the hours passed, and as weather conditions allowed, technical teams began working to restore power to the most affected areas.
By mid-morning, the figure had been reduced to about 15.000 usersAnd by midday the number continued to decline, settling slightly above 10.000. However, in the areas hardest hit by the winds and floods, The blackouts persisted and the repair work was progressing with difficulty.
In the overall tally, the distribution companies reported that More than 16.000 users were simultaneously without power. during the most critical hours of the storm. The neighborhoods of General Pacheco, Escobar, Rincón de Milberg, Ezeiza, Marcos Paz and General Rodríguez They were among those most affected by the prolonged power outages.
Local authorities stressed the need for Take extra precautions around loose cables or unstable poles, recommending not to approach damaged structures and to immediately notify emergency services if electrical hazards are detected.
Yellow and orange alerts: the National Meteorological Service warns of more storms
The storm didn't come as a surprise to meteorologists. National Metereological Service had issued in advance yellow and even orange alerts Strong to severe storms are expected in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) and large areas of central and northern Argentina. The combination of heat, high humidity, and the advance of a cold front created the perfect conditions for organized and potentially dangerous storms.
Under an orange alert, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) warns of the possibility of Heavy rainfall in short periods, intense electrical activity, hail and gusts of between 70 and 90 km/hwith a clear risk to the population and property. The episode that swept through the Metropolitan Area fit perfectly into that pattern.
Following the main system's operation, the organization maintains Yellow alert for much of the province of Buenos Aires, including the metropolitan area, with a forecast of accumulated rainfall of 30 to 60 mm and new gusts that could reach around 80 km/h in some areas.
In this context, the National Meteorological Service reminds the public of the importance of Follow the updated alerts And do not underestimate the warnings, since very intense phenomena can develop in relatively short periods of time, as has been seen in the AMBA.
Safety advice and actions of the municipalities
In the face of these types of events, the recommendations from official agencies are clear. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) and Civil Protection agencies emphasize the following: avoid outdoor activities During alerts, do not put out the trash or leave loose objects that could be blown away by the wind, and stay away from fallen trees, light poles, and cables.
In areas at risk of flooding, it is advisable Do not drive on flooded streetsAvoid traveling on foot or by car, and stay in high places inside your home when the water level rises rapidly. It is also recommended to have the following items on hand: flashlights, charged phones, and important documents in case it becomes necessary to leave the home.
If water enters homes or businesses, experts insist on unplug appliances and cut off the power supply Whenever possible, to avoid short circuits or electrical shocks. Closing doors and windows, securing objects that could be blown away, and seeking immediate shelter indoors are basic but crucial measures.
The municipalities in the greater metropolitan area immediately activated their teams Civil Defense, Public Spaces, Municipal Police, Urban Guard and TrafficThey worked tirelessly to clear drains, remove branches and trees, and assist those affected. In many cases, the authorities specifically asked the public that he stay home until conditions improved.
Although the cleaning and repair work is progressing, city officials admit that managing these issues is becoming increasingly difficult. intense rainfall events in very short periods, which test the drainage capacity and urban infrastructure of the entire metropolitan region.
After the storm: temperature drop and unstable weather
The other big change after the storm has been the sharp drop in temperatureAfter reaching nearly 30°C during the day, the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) now faces a much cooler weekend. Temperatures are expected to be [insert temperature here]. Highs around 21°C and lows of 16°COn Sunday, the temperature could range between 13°C and 20°C.
Instability, however, will remain. Although it is likely that The rains will lose intensity as the hours pass.Intermittent showers and moderate gusts of wind are possible, especially during the first half of the weekend. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) indicates that the probability of precipitation will remain low to moderate in the coming days.
For the start of the new week, the forecasts point to the possible return of the rainswith a probability ranging from 10% to 40% for different time periods. Temperatures will generally range between a low of 17°C and a high of 21°C, a scenario more typical of autumn than the sweltering heat of previous days.
This change in pattern coincides with the celebration of the Easter, which this year will be marked by gray skies, cool weather and instability in much of the country, especially in the central and coastal areas, where various storm warnings will remain in effect.
What happened in the AMBA (Greater Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area) brings to the forefront once again how a Storm with hail, extreme winds and torrential rain in a few hours It can expose the weaknesses of urban infrastructure, from drainage systems to the electrical grid. Images from Escobar, Quilmes, Lomas de Zamora, and Ezeiza, with submerged cars, roofs torn off, and entire neighborhoods plunged into darkness, illustrate how frequent these events have become and why it is crucial to strengthen prevention, planning, and response to increasingly intense weather phenomena.
