Friday is expected to bring the heaviest rainfall yet to the central zone, according to authorities.
The director of Senapred, the government agency responsible for managing emergency responses,
Alicia Cebrian, added that seven people so far have been injured, 79 affected, 466 sheltered and 158 isolated, mainly in the Coquimbo region due to rising water levels.
Around 257,000 customers lost power, mainly in the south.
Chile's northern mining zone, home to most of the country's copper and lithium extraction, was not affected by the storm.
Copper mines in the centre-south of Chile were operating normally under standard winter contingency plans, which include temporary work stoppages when weather conditions deteriorate.
Schools suspended classes on Friday.
-Reuters







