Severe Storms Damage Homes and Kill Three in Southern Brazil

Overview

• Severe convective storms that struck overnight produced hail, strong winds and floods across Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, damaging homes, rural buildings and roads.
• State bulletins say 21 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul reported damage and more than 1,600 residences were affected, with Três Palmeiras reporting roughly 1,000 homes damaged and about 60% of the town impacted.
• Quaraí declared a municipal emergency after hail damaged 349 houses and Canela reported 197 damaged residences, with municipalities distributing tarps and opening shelters for displaced residents.
• Authorities and local media report three storm-related deaths — two in Rio Grande do Sul and one in Santa Catarina — but casualty figures are still being verified by rescue teams.
• Emergency services activated a Cell Broadcast red alert for Gramado and Canela on Friday night, and civil-defense and fire teams are continuing damage assessments, clearing roads, restoring power and monitoring for new storms.