The city of Bahía Blanca, located in the province of Buenos Aires, is experiencing a climate emergency that has led to the evacuation of more than 40 families and the total suspension of activities due to the heavy rains.
In this crisis context, from the National Security Ministry of Javier Milei's government, they confirmed that they are already working to assist the victims of the storm: "The support of SINAGIR (National System for Comprehensive Risk Management) was deployed with the Federal Forces on site".
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense, led by Luis Petri, announced that "the Armed Forces are deployed to provide assistance to the population". According to sources from the ministry, Minister Petri is in contact with Mayor Federico Susbielles and will coordinate operations with SINAGIR.
"Flooding in Bahía Blanca and Punta Alta: By instruction of President Javier Milei, I contacted Mayor Federico Susbielles to coordinate actions on the ground with the National System for Comprehensive Risk Management (SINAGIR). Through the Joint Civil Protection Command, the Armed Forces are already deployed to assist those affected", announced the Minister of Defense in a post on X.
Las inundaciones en Bahía Blanca.
Petri then detailed the measures taken so far:
We transported evacuees with vehicles and boats from the Argentine Army's 603rd Command Company.
We housed families in the Argentine Army's 181st Communications Battalion.
We prepared the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base for increased demand.
We evacuated intensive care patients from Penna Hospital.
General Díaz, Brigade Commander, is at the COE coordinating with local authorities.
"We remain alert to the situation's evolution to continue providing all necessary support, with our Armed Forces at the community's service", concluded Milei's official.
The Flooding
According to municipal sources, approximately 300 millimeters of water accumulated in about six hours, far exceeding the historical average of 129 mm, and the rains are expected to continue. The precipitation began around 4 a.m.
Las inundaciones en Bahía Blanca.
The mayor of Bahía Blanca, Federico Susbielles, oversees all tasks from the Single Monitoring Center, as reported by the La Nueva Provincia portal. The assistance operation involves Civil Defense, Delegations, Sapem Ambiental, and the Municipality's Traffic area.
The streets turned into rivers, vehicles stuck and covered in water, flooded homes, and striking images of the Dr. José Penna Interzonal Hospital, where the neonatology area was severely affected by water ingress and newborns had to be evacuated, reflect the storm's magnitude.
In this emergency scenario, the Municipality of Bahía Blanca decided to suspend all activities, both in the public and private sectors, until further notice. This resolution aims to safeguard the inhabitants' safety and reduce the risks arising from the flooding.
Additionally, at the express request of local authorities, the company EDES (Empresa Distribuidora de Energía Sur S.A.) carried out preventive power cuts in the most affected areas.
