Flooded Floors, Furious Shoppers and Staff in Unicenter Mall During Sudden AMBA Storm
A powerful and unexpected summer storm hit the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) on December 23, 2025, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and even hail that overwhelmed drainage systems across the region. The storm caused widespread flooding on major routes like the Panamericana and General Paz, leaving cars stranded and forcing dozens of rescues as deep water trapped vehicles and drivers. The National Meteorological Service maintained a yellow alert for heavy storms across much of the city and surrounding districts as the deluge developed rapidly in the late afternoon.
At Unicenter mall in Martínez, heavy rain penetrated the third level, flooding corridors, damaging ceilings and some shops, and prompting precautionary evacuations and operational limits in affected areas as staff struggled to manage waterlogged floors and assist visitors amid the disruption. The center confirmed it would remain open into the following day for holiday shopping while teams worked on the impacted sectors