Chile declared a Red Alert for the Santiago Metropolitan Region on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, as an electrical storm hit the capital. Heavy rain and violent hail fell across the city, and the alert was in force by late afternoon.
About 36,000 customers had no power by 5 p.m., according to figures from the Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles (SEC), Chile’s electricity and fuels superintendency. Metro de Santiago also closed several stations, and the reports we reviewed mention no injuries or deaths.
The storm matters to US travellers and residents in Santiago because Metro disruption affects daily movement across the city. It also follows the Las Condes mudslide earlier this month, which we reported on 8 October.
Key Facts
—Who. Senapred, Chile’s national disaster prevention and response service, declared the alert. Residents, commuters and power customers across the capital are affected.
—What. A Red Alert for an electrical storm with heavy rain and violent hail. It lets authorities mobilise all necessary and available resources.
—Where. The Santiago Metropolitan Region, with flooding on main roads in Providencia, Ñuñoa, Las Condes and La Reina. About 36,000 customers lost power by 5 p.m.
—When. Tuesday afternoon, 13 October 2026. More showers, hail and electrical storms are expected in the coming hours.
—As of 13 October 2026, 20:40 GMT. Figures may change as the storm continues.
What We Know
Senapred, the national disaster prevention and response service, declared the Red Alert for the Metropolitan Region for a meteorological event on Tuesday afternoon. A red alert lets authorities mobilise all necessary and available resources.
Hail covered streets, and flooding hit main roads in eastern and central communes. Diario Financiero named Providencia, Ñuñoa, Las Condes and La Reina, while Megatiempo named Providencia, Ñuñoa and Vitacura.
La Tercera also named Quilicura, Lampa, La Reina and Peñalolén as affected. Communes are the local districts that make up the city and its surroundings.
About 36,000 customers had no electricity at 5 p.m. local time, based on SEC figures. Reported counts ranged from 36,155 to 36,928, and Diario Financiero later spoke of more than 40,000 homes.
The communes with the most outages were Quilicura, Quinta Normal, Providencia, Lampa, Pudahuel, Peñalolén, Colina, La Reina and Estación Central. Providencia and La Reina also saw flooding.
Metro de Santiago said some access points to its network closed because of the rain. Pedro de Valdivia station on Line 1 closed because of water accumulation, and Salvador station closed for entry.
Line 2 service was limited between Hospital El Pino and Franklin and between Los Héroes and Vespucio Norte. Salvador and Pedro de Valdivia stations are both on Line 1.
The Dirección Meteorológica de Chile, the national weather service, issued a strong weather alert for seven regions of central Chile. It runs from Tuesday afternoon into the evening and warns of heavy rain, instability and thunderstorms.
Sernageomin, the national geology service, rated landslide and debris flow risk in the Santiago foothills as moderate to high. Megatiempo meteorologist Catalina Cortés said intense showers, hail and electrical storms would continue for the coming hours.
Diario Financiero reported that the hail threatens farm output in the region. Megatiempo’s meteorologist said the storms could last until about 9 or 10 p.m.
What Is Not Known
It is not yet known how long the storm will last. Total damage has not been counted.
The final outage count is unclear, and so is the time when power will return in full. The same applies to full Metro service.
Crop losses from the hail have not been measured. It is also unclear whether any injuries have occurred.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Metro disruption is the clearest effect for visitors, with Pedro de Valdivia closed on Line 1 and limited service on parts of Line 2. Travellers should allow extra time for journeys across the city.
US residents and visitors in Santiago should follow guidance from Senapred and local authorities while the Red Alert stands. The alert covers the whole Metropolitan Region, not only the eastern communes.
The storm follows the Las Condes mudslide that swept cars through the commune on 8 October, as we reported in our first account. Chile declared Las Condes a disaster zone by 9 October with six people hurt, as we covered in our report on the declaration.
Classes were suspended in Las Condes schools after the mudslide, as we reported in our report on the closures. Our explainer on why Santiago flooding hits Las Condes and the foothills shows why the city’s eastern edge is exposed.
Chile is a major copper and fruit exporter, and Diario Financiero reported that the hail threatens farm output in the region. No wider economic effect has been confirmed.
The coming hours will show how long the storm lasts and how quickly power and Metro service return. Senapred and the national weather service remain the main sources for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Red Alert in Chile?
A Red Alert is declared by Senapred, Chile’s disaster agency, and lets authorities mobilise all necessary and available resources. Senapred declared one for the Santiago Metropolitan Region on 13 October 2026.
How many people lost power in Santiago?
About 36,000 customers were without electricity at 5 p.m. local time, based on SEC figures. Diario Financiero later spoke of more than 40,000 homes.
Is the Santiago Metro running?
Metro de Santiago has limited service because of the rain. Pedro de Valdivia station on Line 1 closed, Salvador station closed for entry, and Line 2 service was limited on two sections.
Were there any injuries?
The reports we reviewed mention no injuries or deaths. It is not yet known whether any occurred.
Sources
Senapred · La Tercera · Diario Financiero · BioBioChile · Meganoticias · CNN Chile · Megatiempo · Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles (SEC) · Dirección Meteorológica de Chile
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
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