# 2025 Bahía Blanca floods

On 7 March 2025, Bahía Blanca and neighboring cities, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, were flooded in the aftermath of unusually intense rainfall. The disaster caused serious material damage, thousands of evacuations, at least 16 deaths, and over 200 disappearances.

## Overview

During the first week of March 2025, a series of intense storms began to develop in the southeastern region of the province of Buenos Aires. The National Meteorological Service had issued alerts for intense rainfall, but the magnitude of the event exceeded forecasts. In just a few hours, the city of Bahía Blanca received an estimated precipitation of 290 millimetres (11 in), being the most devastating rainfall in Argentina since 1975 and over half of the average annual precipitation in the city of 584 millimetres (23.0 in).
16 deaths have been reported as a result of the flooding, as well as at least 222 disappearances. Of that number of missing people, only three were not found by 12 March. As of 14 March, only two people, sisters Delfina and Pilar Hecker, remain missing.

## Meteorological conditions

For several days before the event, a very humid and hot air mass from the Amazon dominated the center and north of the country. Instability levels remained high, and various disturbances swept through the area, causing severe weather.
On March 7, 2025, thunderstorms began to develop in the early hours of the morning in central La Pampa Province, rapidly evolving into strong storms. As the hours passed, these storms continued to intensify, forming a line of instability.
Around 3 AM, the line of instability began to slowly advance eastward-southeastward, entering Buenos Aires Province. Minutes before reaching the town of Bahía Blanca, the line of storms slowed its advance and continued to intensify, thus becoming a cloudburst.
This storm system remained practically static over Bahía Blanca (and surrounding towns) around 4 AM, and for several hours, it continuously regenerated and intensified, leaving significant precipitation and thunderstorms. It wasn't until around 10 AM that this storm system managed to continue moving, now in an east-northeast direction.
The video shows radar images. Green indicates light rain, yellow indicates moderate rain and thunderstorms, and red, fuchsia, and white indicates very heavy rain, hail, and strong or severe thunderstorms. The orange lines forming polygons are the successive short-term advisories issued by the National Meteorological Service, warning of the danger of the event.

## Reactions
### Domestic

The disaster prompted a national humanitarian effort; non-perishable food, hygiene elements, and cleaning supplies have been donated from across Argentina.
President Javier Milei did not visit Bahía Blanca in the immediate aftermath of the flooding, which was harshly criticized by various opposition figures, including former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Milei eventually made an unannounced trip to the city on 12 March, later explaining that his delayed reaction was to avoid distracting from relief efforts.
* National Government: The federal and provincial governments declared a state of emergency and mobilized security forces and relief agencies to assist the victims. Evacuation centers were set up and food, drinking water, and basic necessities were distributed. Likewise, solidarity campaigns organized by institutions and citizens throughout the country were initiated.
* Various organizations, such as the Argentine Army, the Red Cross, and non-governmental organizations, participated in the rescue and relief efforts.For its part, the local community organized to help those affected and contribute to the reconstruction of damaged homes and public spaces.
* Lionel Messi, renowned national soccer player, sent his condolences to those affected through his Instagram account.

### International

* Vatican City: The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Francis has been informed of the natural disaster that has struck the city of Bahía Blanca and has expressed "his closeness to the affected people." In the message, which begins with Psalm 62, urging us to trust "in God constantly," the prelates express their hope that "God will grant you comfort and sustain us all in our courage to emerge from this situation together".
* Italy: The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, expressed her "deepest condolences to the victims of the floods that hit several cities in Argentina" on her X account. The Italian government renews its support for the Argentine authorities committed to the relief and assistance efforts for the affected population".
* Israel: In a tweet, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, lamented the floods and referred to President Javier Milei of Argentina as a "dear friend".
* Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, lamented the flooding during a phone call with President Milei concerning the Russia–Ukraine war.