9 Die as 11-inch Rain Floods Buenos Aires

Relentless rain of historic proportions paralyzed Buenos Aires on Friday, claiming at least nine lives and driving thousands of residents from their homes.

Serious flooding was reported in low-lying parts of the city and the surrounding suburbs Friday night, with waters still rising. Streets were impassable, buses were halted, subways were flooded and commuter train service was curtailed because conductors and other employees could not get to work. Electricity and telephone outages spread throughout the night. Airlines cancelled all domestic and foreign flights.

The rain began Thursday evening, and by nightfall Friday, more than 11 inches had fallen. Only a 1930 downpour was worse this century, and even that record was jeopardized as the storm continued unabated late Friday.