Brutal Storm Leaves Path of Destruction in Medellin

Flash flooding & gusts of over 100 km/h caused havoc throughout the Aburrá Valley in what authorities consider the worst storm in recent years.

By Kaveh Paymayesh

January 16, 2023

Last Saturday, January 14, the city of eternal spring was ravaged by a brutal storm capping winds of over 100km/h. In what lasted less than half a day, the storm has left a trail of destruction including the loss of 2 lives, 23 injuries and extensive damage throughout the valley.

Read on for details.

Medellin was battered by a heavy storm

Medellin is no stranger to heavy rains. The city appears to be passing a prolonged ‘winter’ season, characterized by short, regular downpours. What occurred last Saturday, however, was not a regular phenomenon.

At approximately 4:30 pm, began a heavy storm that quickly engorged the valley’s many tributaries.

The valley was also battered by gusts of winds that were logged at speeds of over 100 km/h.

Despite the implementation of storm-based infrastructure, many parts of the city quickly converted into violent streams of water.

The areas worst impacted, however, were those said streams would deposit and accumulate, creating deep pools of water. It is in this circumstance that, sadly, two residents would lose their lives.

Two passengers drowned to death

Unfortunately, two locals, onboard the same vehicle in the neighbourhood of Conquistadores, lost their lives when they were inundated with water. Their bodies were found inside of their Audi, which was completely submerged in a depression where the rain was able to accumulate.

Authorities have identified the couple as Luis Gonzalo Estrada, who worked in the metal industry and Alexandra Salazar (42), who had her own beauty clinic in the city.

Their deaths have triggered an outcry from locals who have criticized the local government for inadequate measures to deal with such events.

The current mayor, Daniel Quintero, who was currently on vacation, had attended the scene to confirm the incident online. This is what he had to say:

Lamento informar que hemos encontrado un vehículo completamente sumergido en el deprimido de Conquistadores. En su interior se encuentra al menos el cuerpo de tres personas sin vida. Me encuentro en el lugar dirigiendo personalmente las labores de rescate. pic.twitter.com/H7OEMBQmbm
— Daniel Quintero Calle (@QuinteroCalle) January 15, 2023

It reads: “I regret to inform that we have found a vehicle completely submerged in a depression of Conquistadores. Inside was found the body of at least three people that are deceased. I find myself in the place personally directing the rescue effort.”

Have in mind that this information is outdated as there were 2 bodies in the vehicle, not three.

A painful reminder of a tragedy that happened before

This event reignites memories of a similar event occurring in 1988, where three musicians drowned in a taxi.

This event occurred in the same stretch of depressed road, which was subsequently named by locals as “Los Músicos” (The Musicians).

This treacherous road is located on Carrera 63 of Los Conquistadores.

Falling Christmas lights resulted in 23 injuries

Medellin’s current attraction, its annual Alumbrados (light display) were also a scene of terror. In Parques del Río where the lights are concentrated, 8 decorations of several metres in height fell, resulting in the injury of 23 people. Of this number, 6 were minors.

Three of the twenty-three sustained serious injuries and were admitted to intensive care.

Among those injured, a family of tourists from Cartagena has assured that the medical costs have been covered by the Health Promotion Entity.

This has not applied in all cases and as such, there is local outcry among those affected for EPM, the entity responsible for the lights, to cover the medical costs.

When will the rains let up?

Although regular January showers are common in this region, so far in 2023 the total level of precipitation has exceeded that of following years.

Why?

Meteorologists attribute this to the well-known phenomenon that is La Niña; a cooling of water in the equatorial Pacific. This brings with it far-reaching changes in weather patterns that can be observed as far Europe and beyond. Meteorlogists also contend that these events are being excerbated by human activity, which seems to in accord with locals who describe the current weather as ‘unusual’.

As a result, experts have cautioned that such events are to be expected again this month.

Have this in mind if deciding to venture off into remote or mountaneous areas such as the Cerro de las Tres Cruces. I, myself, made this mistake…

We expect that climatic conditions will improve moving on into February.