Cyclone-Driven Storms Batter Southern Brazil as Frontal System Keeps Region Unstable

Overview

• An extratropical cyclone formed off the coast between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul on Friday, Sept. 11, prompting red and orange alerts from the National Meteorology Institute (Inmet) and state Defesa Civils.
• Heavy rains and storms tied to the system have caused river overflows, landslides, hail and emergency decrees in Santa Catarina where at least 31 municipalities reported damage and dozens of people were displaced.
• The Paraná state Defesa Civil reported more than 7,500 people affected and Copel logged about 54,700 customers without power while Simepar confirmed a tornado in Goioerê that will be rated after damage analysis.
• Rio Grande do Sul recorded impacts in 38 municipalities with roughly 6,465 people affected and an issued flood warning for the Uruguai River, and meteorologists say the same front is keeping rain and strong gusts possible in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
• Inmet and regional services warn of continued heavy rain and damaging gusts — locally forecast up to 60–100 km/h in some areas — raising risks of more flooding, power outages and event disruptions through the weekend and into next week.