Strong winds and waves flooded parts of the coastal city of Valparaíso, Chile, on Monday, June 26, as the sea crashed into the coastline and the city’s sea wall.
Local TV station Tele13 reported that the waves were 16 feet high, and although news of the storm was broadcast in advance, the intensity of it caught people by surprise.
Local newspaper Publimetro reported that at points, winds registered over 43 mph. Radio Santiago reported winds as high as 49 mph.
According to ONEMI emergency service, the unusual waves were caused by a weather front, which is moving north. Four regions located in the middle and southern Chile have been hit by the intense weather pattern.
In Valparaíso, the waves, which started on Sunday, June 25, flooded homes and streets.
Radio Santiago quoted a local fire chief as saying the biggest emergencies they were dealing with were an inundated church and an office building.
According to ONEMI, the waves are expected to die down later on Monday.
