14.10.2026 10:43
During the storm affecting Santiago, the capital of Chile, a tornado that formed in the Estación Central area blew off the roofs of the Terminal Sur bus station and surrounding buildings. Chile's Meteorological Directorate announced that, according to initial analyses, the event could be an EF0 category tornado. In the city, where hail, flooding, and power outages occurred, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) declared a red alert. Terrifying moments on camera.
On the day when downpours, hail, and a storm were effective in Santiago, the tornado in Estacion Central caused terrifying moments. The moments when torn-off roof pieces were blown through the air were recorded with mobile phone cameras.
THE BUS TERMINAL'S ROOF FLEW THROUGH THE AIR
In the Estacion Central commune, around Alameda Avenue at about 16:30 local time, strong wind formed. The wind tore off part of the roof of Terminal Sur, one of the city's important bus terminals. In the footage, roof sheets and light materials were seen being blown to distant distances.
Due to the tornado, damage occurred to the roofs, gutters, and cladding of surrounding buildings, and some tiles fell. It was reported that shallow-rooted trees were uprooted and tree branches were broken. No information was shared regarding whether anyone was injured or lost their lives in the incident.
METEOROLOGY: THERE MAY BE AN EF0 CATEGORY TORNADO
The Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC), in a statement on its social media account, said, “Initial analyses indicate that the event could be an EF0 category tornado.” According to the agency's preliminary report, wind speed was estimated at between 105 and 137 kilometers per hour. DMC stated that the exact classification of the event has not yet been made and that investigations are ongoing.
DMC meteorologist Elio Brufort reported that atmospheric instability and high temperatures during the day fueled vertically developing clouds, downpours, hail, and this event.
“NO FUNNEL CLOUD IS VISIBLE” ASSESSMENT
The Chilean Geosciences Network (Red Geocientífica de Chile), on the other hand, suggested that the event may not be a tornado but a sudden wind vortex (gustnado) or a sudden and strong downdraft (microburst). The organization assessed, “In the visual records, no funnel cloud or connection of the storm to the ground by a vortex is seen.”
RED ALERT ISSUED IN THE CITY
Senapred declared a red alert for the entire Metropolitan Region where Santiago is located at 17:15 local time. The Meteorological Directorate also issued a storm warning for 7 regions stretching from Coquimbo to Biobio.
Heavy hail fell in many parts of the city, main streets and underpasses were flooded. In Providencia, the roofs of some parking lots collapsed and fell onto vehicles. Pedro de Valdivia and Salvador stations on the Metro line were closed due to flooding, and services on Line 2 could be partially operated. Education was suspended in schools.
7 REGIONS LEFT WITHOUT ELECTRICITY
According to data from the Chilean Electricity and Fuel Superintendency (SEC), the number of customers affected by outages exceeded 43,000. Quilicura, Quinta Normal, Providencia, Lampa, Pudahuel, and Estacion Central were among the areas most affected by the outages.
A few days earlier, a flood disaster had also occurred in Santiago; in the flood that occurred in San Carlos de Apoquindo, 6 people were injured and more than 2,000 homes were affected.