2026 Reports

Areco River Early Warning System: Climate Adaptation and Local Flood Risk Management in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina

Minaverry, Clara María; Velazquez, Daniela Belén; Scarano, Sofía

San Antonio de Areco, an intermediate city located on the Areco River basin, has historically faced recurrent flooding associated with river overflow and intense rainfall, in a territory characterized by “wide floodplains” and a basin of 3,980 km². At least sixteen events were recorded between 1980 and 2025, most notably the 2009 flood, when more than 10 percent of the population had to evacuate without warning mechanisms or community preparedness in place. The recurrence of these events, including the 2025 flood, established hydrometeorological risk management as a local priority. From 2015, the Municipality moved toward a preventive approach by installing a network of automatic hydrometeorological stations for real-time monitoring of rainfall and river levels, complemented by official information. The Monitoring and Early Warning Center was subsequently created, responsible for data analysis and the activation of alerts. The institutionalization of the system was consolidated through Municipal Ordinance No. 4299/17, which formalized responsibilities and protocols, overcoming institutional fragmentation. The strategy was strengthened by the “SAT Areco” mobile application, which provides accessible information on the river’s behavior, forecasts and alerts through a color scale, reaching more than 3,000 downloads and heavy use during critical events. In 2025, an agreement with the National University of San Antonio de Areco made it possible to advance the updating of thresholds, protocols and indicators, incorporating scientific capacities. The case shows that risk anticipation, accessible communication and intersectoral coordination reduce vulnerability to recurrent flooding, although challenges remain related to climate change, interventions in the basin and regulatory updating. Components such as hydrometeorological monitoring, clear protocols and the articulation between science and government constitute replicable elements for other intermediate cities exposed to similar risks.

Keywords: early warning system; hydrometeorological risk management; Areco River flooding; local climate adaptation