'It was terrible': Northern Chile placed under state of catastrophe after mudslides sweep cars downhill

Heavy rain in northern Chile sent mud and floodwater rushing through streets, where cars and vans slid downhill as emergency evacuations took place.

An Aug. 19 video captured residents and officials describing how quickly the flooding escalated, leaving people cut off, damaging vehicles, and sending families searching for loved ones.

Here's what to know

The nation's Tocopilla province was placed under a state of catastrophe as rain rushed through the streets, according to Al Jazeera English, which later shared horrifying footage of the flooding and its impacts.

In the outlet's caption, it wrote, "Cars were swept downhill as floodwaters and mudslides tore through northern Chile. Residents described the terrifying moment as emergency crews evacuated people and cleared streets."

@aljazeeraenglish Cars were swept downhill as floodwaters and mudslides tore through northern #Chile. Residents described the terrifying moment as emergency crews evacuated people and cleared streets. Chile declared a state of catastrophe in Tocopilla province as heavy rain continued. #News ♬ original sound - Al Jazeera English

Much of the footage centered on firsthand testimony. One resident, describing the moment the water began carrying vehicles away, said, "When I heard a noise, I was cooking… I went out to look, and the pick-up trucks, the cars were running downhill in the mud. It was terrible."

Another told the outlet, "We had already made a [flooding] defense. We thought it was going to work, but it didn't and here's the result." 

The video showed the muddy water moving so quickly that anyone in its way risked death, either from drowning, getting hit with fast-moving debris or vehicles, or electrocution from downed power lines hidden within the water.

More background

Flooding and mudslides can become especially dangerous when intense rainfall exceeds the capacity of drainage systems, soil, and protective infrastructure to absorb or redirect it. Once roads fill with water and mud, vehicles can quickly lose traction and be swept away, while debris can block access for emergency crews.

These disasters threaten far more than property. Extreme weather can endanger lives, interrupt emergency medical access, contaminate water, damage homes and businesses, and leave families without transportation or income. When streets, utilities, and buildings are all hit at once, the financial fallout can spread through an entire community.

That can mean missed work, costly repairs, unsafe drinking water, and urgent evacuations. In places already vulnerable to heavy rain or steep terrain, mudslides also increase the risk of people becoming trapped in homes or cut off from relatives and rescue workers.

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