The weather front crossing central Chile has left four mountain roads popular with tourists closed, as a precaution and until the event ends: access to the El Yeso reservoir (G-455) and the San Gabriel sector (G-25) in San José de Maipo, the Farellones road (G-21 and G-251) in Lo Barnechea, and route I-45 to Termas del Flaco, in O'Higgins. The list was published by La Tercera this Wednesday, October 21, 2026, with information from Senapred, Chile's disaster agency, which is keeping a red alert in the Santiago Metropolitan Region.
The government has so far ruled out serious emergencies. Under-Secretary of the Interior Máximo Pavez said that in the capital “so far the situation remains under control”. Senapred counted 103 people in shelters in the Metropolitan Region.
Roads closed by the weather front
| Route | Sector | Region | Tourist destination affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-455 | El Yeso reservoir | Metropolitan (San José de Maipo) | El Yeso reservoir and the high Cajón del Maipo |
| G-25 | San Gabriel | Metropolitan (San José de Maipo) | Baños Morales, El Morado Natural Monument and Baños Colina |
| G-21 and G-251 | Farellones road | Metropolitan (Lo Barnechea) | Farellones, El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado |
| I-45 | San Fernando | O'Higgins | Termas del Flaco |
| Inland road | Los Maitenes, Puchuncaví | Valparaíso | Northern coast of the region |
Sources: La Tercera with Senapred data (October 21, 2026) and El Reporte Diario for Valparaíso. The closures are preventive and apply until the event ends; reopenings are announced by the roads authority (Vialidad), the police and the municipalities.
How much rain fell in central Chile
| Station | Region | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Quillota | Valparaíso | 35 |
| El Monte | Metropolitan | 28 |
| Quintero | Valparaíso | 25.1 |
| Torquemada (Viña del Mar) | Valparaíso | 22 |
| Tobalaba | Metropolitan | 12.2 |
| Canela | Coquimbo | 11.2 |
| Rancagua | O'Higgins | 9.1 |
| Chillán | Ñuble | 9 |
| Quinta Normal | Metropolitan | 6.5 |
| Curicó | Maule | 5.4 |
Source: La Tercera, with readings between midnight and about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Valparaíso: ports closed and landslides
More than 35 mm fell in the Valparaíso region. The Navy's maritime authority (Directemar) ordered a total closure of the ports, restricting all vessels, and banned fishing and diving between Quintero bay and the port of San Antonio, according to El Reporte Diario. There were landslides and flooded streets in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, and more than 15,000 customers without power at the height of the storm. Senapred's regional director, Christian Cardemil, expected about 15 mm more during Wednesday.
For tourists, the port closure means boat trips around Valparaíso bay and sport fishing outings are suspended while the measure lasts.
Alerts in force because of the weather front
| Level | Area | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Red alert | Metropolitan Region, especially the foothill districts | Risk of landslides |
| Yellow alert | Coquimbo and parts of Valparaíso and O'Higgins | Risk of landslides |
| Early preventive alert | Other areas between O'Higgins and Los Lagos | Rain from the weather front |
| Navy warning | Coast between Maule and Los Ríos | Possible waterspouts |
Source: Senapred and the Navy, according to La Tercera (October 21, 2026). In the Metropolitan Region, the red alert in the foothill districts is what led to the closure of the Farellones road from Tuesday. In the Valparaíso region schools reopened on Wednesday, except in Quillota province, according to El Reporte Diario.
What is next: weather front forecast for Thursday 22
- Wednesday 21: the system moves south, with 20 to 35 mm possible between Maule and Biobío, thunderstorms and gusts of wind. About 10 mm more was expected in central Santiago and 15 mm in the south of the region.
- Thursday 22: a new system over the ocean off Puerto Montt would approach central Chile, with showers in the foothills and the Andes, according to La Tercera.
- No extreme short bursts: the Meteorological Directorate did not expect extreme amounts in a few hours, according to La Tercera.
Does your hotel, agency or tourism service want to reach travellers rearranging their plans in central Chile?
See advertising optionsIf you had a trip to the mountains this week
- Cajón del Maipo: with El Yeso and San Gabriel closed, the high mountains are off limits until the measure is lifted. For when it reopens, see what to do in the Cajón del Maipo.
- Hot springs: Termas del Flaco is out while the I-45 is closed; there are other options in our guide to hot springs in Chile.
- Snow: La Parva and Valle Nevado have extended season dates, but depend on the Farellones road reopening; details in La Parva opens two more weekends.
- Crossing to Argentina: the Cristo Redentor pass reopens in stages; see the gradual reopening of the pass.
Frequently asked questions
Is the road to the El Yeso reservoir open?
No. Route G-455 is closed as a precaution until the weather front ends, according to Senapred, as cited by La Tercera on October 21, 2026.
Can I go to Termas del Flaco?
Not while route I-45 in San Fernando remains closed, also as a precaution.
When will the roads reopen?
When the event ends and Vialidad confirms the road is safe. The new system forecast for Thursday 22 could extend some restrictions.
