CHILE · STORM FRONT
Key Facts
- The country Chile is a long Andean country of about 20 million people, and its capital Santiago sits at the foot of the mountains.
- Where Las Condes is a wealthy eastern commune of Santiago, and San Carlos de Apoquindo is its foothill district.
- What happened Las Condes flooding on Monday 26 October 2026 forced a security perimeter, and classes are suspended there on Tuesday 27 October.
- Requínoa A tornado struck Requínoa in O’Higgins Region on Monday, and all classes in the commune are suspended on Tuesday.
- Alert The national disaster agency Senapred kept a red alert for landslides and mudflows in 10 communes of the Santiago region.
- Rainfall Chile’s public works minister said 20 millimetres fell in one hour, which he called huge for Santiago.
- Power Index Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
Las Condes flooding forced the municipality to close streets in San Carlos de Apoquindo on Monday 26 October 2026. The government then suspended in-person classes in the district for Tuesday 27 October.
The same storm front sent a tornado through Requínoa in central Chile, and classes in that whole commune are also suspended. Our report on the Las Condes mudslide of 8 October and our explainer on why the storm front floods Santiago’s foothills give the background.
Las Condes Flooding Hits San Carlos de Apoquindo
Las Condes municipality activated a preventive security perimeter in San Carlos de Apoquindo on Monday evening, Meganoticias reports. The perimeter takes in Camino El Alba, Avenida General Blanche, roads around Quebrada Honda and Paul Harris, and the area near Universidad de los Andes.
A quebrada is a dry mountain ravine that fills with fast, muddy water in heavy rain. Quebrada Honda overflowed again on Monday night, and The Clinic, a Santiago news outlet, says the Las Condes flooding hit homes and trapped cars.
Residents were asked to avoid vehicle and foot traffic inside the perimeter and to stay at home unless emergency crews said otherwise. Those who stayed were told to move to upper floors and follow instructions from the municipality and Senapred.
How Much Rain Fell
Public works minister Louis de Grange said 20 millimetres of rain fell in one hour, a very large amount for Santiago, according to The Clinic. He added that the Las Condes flooding began lower down the channel than in the 8 October mudslide.
Regional governor Claudio Orrego, an elected official, said up to 60 millimetres fell in about 90 minutes in the higher city. He added that the freezing level, the height where air drops to 0 C, stood at around 3,000 metres.
Las Condes mayor Catalina San Martín said homes flooded in Campanario and Las Condesas, where crews brought sandbags and pumps, La Tercera reports. She said the rain exceeded the forecast and asked the Army for help.
Which Schools Close on Tuesday
Germán Codina, the central government’s top official in the Santiago region, said on Monday night that in-person classes stop inside the perimeter on Tuesday. La Tercera and ADN Radio say it runs from Camino Las Flores via Avenida Plaza, General Blanche and Paul Harris to Camino El Alba.
Codina said the aim is to protect students, and he noted that universities can teach online. The municipality said the order first covers Redland School and two nurseries, Ganbaru and General Blanche.
The municipality then suspended classes in its own eight municipal schools and five nurseries, La Tercera reports. San Martín said the town hall can only decide for schools it runs, so she asked the Education Ministry to act for the rest.
Requínoa Tornado and Red Alert
A tornado hit Requínoa, in O’Higgins Region south of Santiago, at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, according to The Clinic. Chile’s weather office preliminarily rated it EF-2 on the five-step Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado damage.
Mayor Waldo Valdivia said at least 70 homes were affected and the gym of Colegio Tricahue was totally destroyed. The state railway EFE suspended trains between Rancagua and San Fernando for Monday and Tuesday after poles and trees fell on the line.
The Interior Ministry said Requínoa stays on red alert, and the government suspended classes across the whole commune for Tuesday. Our earlier report on the Requínoa tornado gave a first count of 20 homes, which the mayor has since raised to at least 70.
The Red Alert Across Santiago
Senapred, Chile’s national disaster prevention and response service, kept a red alert for landslides and mudflows in 10 communes of the Santiago region. They are San José de Maipo, Puente Alto, Pirque, La Florida, Peñalolén, La Reina, Las Condes, Lo Barnechea, Vitacura and Colina.
Firefighters evacuated at least 16 people from an elderly care home in El Arrayán, in Lo Barnechea, after a flash flood, The Clinic reports. Santiago’s fire brigade put all 22 of its companies on standby.
President José Antonio Kast wrote on X early Tuesday that extreme weather gives no respite, with a tornado in Requínoa and overflows in Las Condes. He said government teams are deployed, and Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado, whose ministry leads the emergency response, said ministers were visiting the worst-hit places.
What It Means for US Readers
Las Condes is home to many hotels, offices and foreign families, so US travellers and expats should expect closed streets near the foothills. Any new Las Condes flooding could also disrupt commutes, so follow the municipality, Senapred and your school or employer.
Senapred sends emergency alerts to mobile phones, and residents are told to avoid streams, ravines and slopes during a red alert. Travellers heading to the mountains or to the Rancagua and San Fernando area should check road and rail status before leaving.
What Is Not Known
Officials have not released a full count of homes damaged by the Las Condes flooding on Monday night. It is also open whether classes in the perimeter resume on Wednesday 28 October.
The final damage count in Requínoa may rise, and no date has been given for trains to resume between Rancagua and San Fernando. Authorities have also not said how long the security perimeter will stay in place.
More: Chile news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which schools are closed after the Las Condes flooding?
In-person classes are suspended inside the San Carlos de Apoquindo security perimeter on 27 October, including Redland School and two nurseries. The municipality also closed its eight municipal schools and five nurseries.
What is the security perimeter in San Carlos de Apoquindo?
After the Las Condes flooding it is a zone from Camino Las Flores along Avenida Plaza, General Blanche and Paul Harris to Camino El Alba. Officials activated the same zone after the 8 October mudslide.
Why did Quebrada Honda overflow?
Heavy rain in a short time overwhelmed the channel on Monday night, and the public works minister cited 20 millimetres in one hour. The mayor said the rain exceeded the forecast.
What happened in Requínoa?
A tornado rated EF-2 hit the town on Monday afternoon and damaged at least 70 homes, according to its mayor. Classes in the whole commune are suspended on Tuesday.
Is there still a red alert?
Yes, Senapred kept a red alert for landslides and mudflows in 10 communes of the Santiago region. The Interior Ministry said Requínoa also remains on red alert.
Sources: Meganoticias, 26 October 2026; La Tercera, 26 October 2026; La Tercera, 27 October 2026; La Tercera, 26 October 2026; La Tercera, 27 October 2026; The Clinic, 26 October 2026; The Clinic, 26 October 2026; The Clinic, 27 October 2026; The Clinic, 26 October 2026; ADN Radio, 26 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief