The entire Región de Coquimbo, about 470 kilometers north of Santiago, has been placed under a yellow alert. The Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres (Senapred, Chile's national disaster prevention and response agency) declared it because of a weather system expected to bring intense rain, thunderstorms and hail. According to CNN Chile, the measure was coordinated with the Delegación Presidencial Regional (the central government's regional office). It also replaces the preventive early alert that had been in effect.
Cooperativa reported that Senapred's Regional Directorate made the decision this Saturday. Senapred also posted it on X. The alert covers the whole region and will remain in place as long as the atmospheric instability persists. The sources do not specify which comunas (municipalities) are most exposed.
The Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC, Chile's national weather service) has four warnings and alerts in place for the region. The main one is for October 20, with moderate to heavy precipitation over a short period in the coastal mountain range, the Andean foothills and the foothill valleys. These are the inland areas, away from the coast.
Thunderstorms could occur between October 19 and 20, with a chance of hail and strong local wind gusts. Normal to moderate rain is expected along the coast. In the Andes, a warning for normal to moderate wind will be in effect until October 21.
The Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Sernageomin, Chile's national geology and mining service) assessed the risk of mass movements, meaning debris flows (mud and debris) and landslides. According to CNN Chile, the agency estimated a moderate chance on the coast, in the coastal mountain range and in the foothill valleys.
Cooperativa's version differs regarding the Andes. According to that outlet, Sernageomin rated the probability as low in the Andes. However, in the same quote it also includes the Andes among the moderate-risk areas. Neither source clarifies this contradiction.
A yellow alert is declared when an event intensifies and could exceed local capacities. It requires additional preparations and partially activates the civil protection system. Resources are deployed in stages, depending on how the situation develops. This level sits between the preventive early alert (green), focused on monitoring, and the red alert, which mobilizes all available resources.
In the event of rising water or flooding, Senapred recommends moving to higher ground. Do not cross flooded streets, bridges or underpasses, either on foot or by vehicle. If you cannot evacuate, go to an upper floor and wait for instructions. When you return home, check your utilities and throw away any food that came into contact with the water.
The heaviest rain is expected on Monday, October 20, and the wind warnings extend through Tuesday, October 21.
