Rare tornado hits southern Chile city
A rare EF-1 tornado struck Puerto Varas, a southern Chilean city, causing significant damage and injuring at least 19 people. With wind speeds estimated between 138 and 187 km/h, the tornado damaged over 250 homes, uprooted trees, and downed power lines, leaving more than 23,000 residents without electricity in the Los Lagos region. The tornado touched down around 3:30 p.m., surprising the city's 45,000 residents, many of whom reported roof damage and debris scattered across streets.
In response to the disaster, President Gabriel Boric announced plans to visit Puerto Varas to assess the damage and coordinate emergency response efforts. Local authorities activated emergency protocols, including the Comité de Gestión ante Riesgo de Desastres (COGRID), and the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) issued a Red Alert for Puerto Varas and a Yellow Alert for the surrounding region.
Cleanup and recovery efforts are currently underway, with emergency crews working to restore power and assist those affected. Residents described the tornado as a swift and powerful gust of wind that shattered windows, blew off roofs, and scattered debris throughout the area. Reports indicate that 13,000 homes lost electrical service, and 400 homes lacked running water following the tornado.
Meteorologists noted that while tornadoes are uncommon in Chile, this event underscores the country's vulnerability to extreme weather. The last significant tornado in the region occurred in 2019. The official meteorological service warned that other tornadoes could occur, particularly between May and June, and emphasized that climate change may increase the frequency of such phenomena.
