Chile's capital grapples with widespread flooding

Our top focus at this hour on Climate Tracker, a red alert has been issued for Chile's capital, Santiago, after hailstorms and heavy rain triggered widespread flooding. The severe weather comes just days after a destructive mudslide hit the city's eastern neighborhoods. Floodwaters have inundated streets, residential buildings, and underground parking areas, while firefighters work to drain flooded tunnels. Chile's National Disaster Response Agency issued the Red Alert for the Santiago metropolitan region amid widespread flooding and power outages. The National Meteorological Office is also warned of flash floods risks between the Coquimbo and Biobio regions. Suddenly we had a forecast of rain and very abruptly everything began to flood in the area around the building's apartments. First, all the storefronts filled with water, and then, the underground parking lots started to fill with water as well. Residents say the water rose rapidly, flooding shops and homes as the storm swept through the city. Some residents say they have never experienced flooding of this scale before, despite living in the area for years. This flooding is for the first time. I've lived in this building for nine years. This is the first time this has happened to us. It had never happened before. It had always rained, and the outside had flooded, but water had never gotten inside the building the way it did this time. Eyewitness footage showed floodwaters rushing through streets blanketed with hail, as residents described the unusual spring weather as resembling winter conditions. The municipalities of Providencia and Santiago Centro were among the worst affected, with flooded roads and collapsed roofs reported across the areas. Santiago Metro temporarily closed several stations, including Pedro de Valdivia and Salvador on Line 1 due to flooding at entrances. However, train stations and services continue to operate without disruption, according to the transport operator.