Storm in south affects 12,000 people, damaging 1,800 homes

To see international photos, click here

SANTIAGO.- According to the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), the latest toll from the storm front that has been affecting the Bío Bío and Araucanía regions is one death, 12 thousand people affected, 1,800 damaged homes, as well as numerous road and bridge blocks.

"This front has been extremely aggressive, dumping an amount of water that has not been seen in 30, 40 years", stated the head of ONEMI, Carmen Fernández.

"There has been so much precipitation that in five hours close to 70 millimeters of water has fallen. This caused water levels to rise, resulting in flooding and the obstruction of roadways and bridges, especially in the rural areas", Fernández added.

Flooding due to the accumulation of water has been the main problem in urban areas, where drainage systems have not been able to cope with the rainfall.

Fernández indicated that authorities will have a clearer picture of the situation later this afternoon.