Rare Tornado Rips Through Chile Causing Death, Injuries, Damage

Chilean authorities have reported that a woman died Friday after a waterspout and a tornado – generated by torrential rains - ripped through the central and southern regions of the country and caused the victim to sustain injuries from a falling object, according to EFE.

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The weather phenomenon mainly affected Concepcion, Hualpen and Talcahuano areas in the Bio Bio region of the South American country. The mayor of Talcahuano, Henry Campos, said up to 28 people were injured and some 370 home had been damaged.

Tornadoes and waterspouts are not common to Chile.

"One tornado struck San Carlos, Chile, back on May 31, 2013," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls recalled and added that "Tornado Alley in South America is across central and northern Argentina, Uruguay, southeastern Brazil and eastern Paraguay."

Unusual Tornado in av Sister Vicenta caused a lot of damage a few minutes ago. Streets cut to reach the terminal.

The weather event occurred at in the afternoon and carried winds that reached speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour as well as hail fall. The tornado knocked down trees and lighting poles, destroyed the roofs of houses, flipped over vehicles and exploded transformers. About 12,000 entities lost electricity after the tornado hit, according to Radio Bio Bio.

"I want to tell all the people who have been affected by this tornado that we are ensuring peace and security so that we do not repeat sad events of 27F (earthquake and tsunami which happened on February 27, 2010), that nobody has forgotten and therefore we can ensure that security and public order will be guaranteed," President Sebastian Piñera, who visited the area, stated.

It is requested that people leaving in vehicles through Las Industrias Avenue take alternative routes either by Tolpán or Sister Vicenta

Interior Minister Andres Chadwick accompanied Piñera to the site of the disaster.

"Today all the help is coming in. We are in perfect coordination with the Carabineros, so I can assure the victims of this phenomenon of nature that public order is assured and that all the necessary help will arrive very quickly," the president emphasized.

Education authorities announced the suspension of classes in the affected areas Friday.

The head of state also said "we are going to declare the whole zone and all the States of Exception that are required," in order to prevent looting.