A sudden and intense storm
On Thursday afternoon, a severe storm swept across the province of Mendoza, bringing heavy rain and hail that caused major disruption throughout the Greater Mendoza area. The rainfall was intense and concentrated over a short period, leading to rapid flooding on streets, avenues and key access roads.
Residents shared images of water-covered streets, stranded vehicles and pedestrians seeking shelter as the storm intensified. In several neighborhoods, drainage systems were unable to cope with the volume of water, worsening the impact in densely populated urban areas.
Areas hit the hardest
The most significant problems were reported across Greater Mendoza, where water quickly spread through streets and sidewalks. One of the most affected locations was the Palmares shopping center, where water entered several stores, forcing shop owners to close temporarily to prevent further damage.
Flooding was also reported on major avenues and in residential neighborhoods, with traffic severely disrupted during the peak of the storm. Social media platforms were flooded with videos showing the scale of the event and how quickly conditions deteriorated.
Hail and material damage
In addition to heavy rain, hail was reported in some areas, raising concerns among residents and business owners. While no fatalities were reported, material damage affected vehicles, shop windows and lightweight structures.
Emergency services and municipal crews were deployed to assist motorists and clear critical areas. Authorities stated that ensuring public safety and restoring traffic flow were top priorities during the storm response.
Warnings and safety advice
Officials urged residents to take precautions, avoid driving through flooded streets and refrain from crossing areas with deep water. Drivers were also advised not to park vehicles in low-lying areas or near drainage channels.
The National Meteorological Service had issued storm alerts for the region, warning of heavy rainfall in short periods, strong wind gusts and possible hail. Authorities noted that similar weather events may occur again during the summer season.
A broader climate pattern
Experts explained that intense storms like this have become more frequent in recent years, with rainfall concentrated over brief intervals that exceed urban drainage capacity. Mendoza, known for its generally dry climate, is particularly vulnerable when large amounts of rain fall in a short time.
Cleanup operations and damage assessments are ongoing, while weather conditions continue to be closely monitored in case further storms develop in the coming hours.
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