Heavy rain flooded roads and homes in northern Guayaquil on the evening of Friday 13 November 2026, trapping cars on main routes in Ecuador’s biggest city. Segura EP, the city’s public safety and emergency agency, asked residents to avoid the Daule road and Juan Tanca Marengo Avenue, where water was collecting.
For US readers, the floods matter because Guayaquil is a major export port, and because the city has flooded more than once this month. Our earlier reports covered high tides and the families of Las Orquídeas, a flood-prone neighbourhood in the north.
What Happened
The downpour hit the north of the city on Friday evening, after rain and lightning in the early hours, and at least 45 sectors reported standing water. By early evening it had lasted almost two hours.
Water covered the roadway on Juan Tanca Marengo Avenue near the Colegio Americano school, and in places it reached halfway up cars. On the Daule road, a main route north out of the city, flooding was reported at kilometre 7, and ECU 911, Ecuador’s national emergency line, showed heavy congestion at kilometre 8.5.
The Perimetral ring road flooded at its tunnel access, and traffic backed up at kilometre 25. Rain also covered part of the Prosperina viaduct in the north and slowed traffic there.
In the Peca area, the road between the Parque California 1 and Parque California 2 districts went under water and several vehicles could not move. Residents of La Ladrillera, in the northwest, reported water entering homes.
The drainage channel at Las Orquídeas, which flooded homes earlier this month, overflowed again after nearly two hours of rain. Motorcyclists climbed onto pavements to wait out the water.
File photo, February 2024: pedestrians on the Malecón 2000 riverfront promenade in Guayaquil. Photo: Freddy eduardo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).What Officials Said
Álex Anchundia, general manager of Segura EP, asked people in low-lying areas around 18:00 to get to safety and to stay home unless they had to travel. He warned that high tide was due within two to three hours, which could slow the drainage of rainwater.
He said some roads would stay under water for several hours, until the rain eased and the tide turned. He added that the rain was also affecting other districts and provinces of Ecuador.
ECU 911 told drivers to keep a safe distance and to proceed with caution. Four temporary shelters were open for affected families: CAMI Pascuales, CAMI PRO 29 y Oriente, CAMI Fertisa and Polifuncional Zumar.
Why Guayaquil Floods So Easily
The city sits beside the Guayas River estuary, so heavy rain and high tide can arrive together. That is the combination officials warned about on Friday evening.
What It Means for You
If you are travelling to or through Guayaquil this weekend, expect slow traffic on the Daule road, the Perimetral and Juan Tanca Marengo Avenue. Leave extra time for any transfer and check your flight status with your airline before you set out.
Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency, so repair bills and lost sales are counted in the same money US businesses and expats use. Companies that ship goods through Guayaquil should watch road access to the port over the coming days.
What Is Not Known
We could not find an official rainfall total or a count of affected homes. Local reports said a taxi driver was found dead in his vehicle and a father and son went missing after falling into a ditch, and we could not confirm an official toll.
It is not known how long the water will stay on the roads. Ecuador’s national weather service, Inamhi, warns of heavy rain from Saturday afternoon 14 November into the early hours of Sunday, and its models show possible totals above 100 millimetres in Guayaquil and nearby areas.
More: Ecuador news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Parts of Guayaquil Flooded on 13 November?
Roads and homes flooded in the north and northwest of the city, including Juan Tanca Marengo Avenue, the Daule road, the Perimetral and the Las Orquídeas channel. Residents of La Ladrillera reported water inside homes.
What Did Officials Ask People to Do?
Segura EP asked residents to avoid the Daule road and Juan Tanca Marengo Avenue near the Colegio Americano school and to take other routes. Its manager asked people in low-lying areas to stay home unless they had to travel.
Why Does High Tide Matter When It Rains?
Officials said high tide was due within two to three hours of 18:00, which could slow the drainage of rainwater. Some roads would stay flooded until the rain eased and the tide changed.
Does Ecuador Use the US Dollar?
Yes, Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency. Visitors can pay in dollars, and flood costs are counted in the same money.
Sources: Municipality of Guayaquil, municipal statements, 13 November 2026; Segura EP (C5GYE), public notices and statements by manager Álex Anchundia, 13 November 2026; ECU 911, traffic and rain notices, 13 November 2026; Inamhi, Ecuador’s national weather service, warning 87, 13 November 2026.