Tornado Confirmed in Farroupilha as Summer Storms Lash Southern Brazil

Overview

• A short‑lived tornado struck the Vila Rica area of Farroupilha, tearing roofs from about 15 homes and severely damaging a municipal school, with no injuries reported.
• State civil defense confirmed tornadic circulation using aerial imagery that showed debris scattered in different directions and indicated gusts likely above 100 km/h.
• Authorities restricted access in the affected zone, shut off electricity where lines were down, and mobilized regional teams to support assessments and assistance.
• In Lages, Santa Catarina, a roughly 20‑minute convective storm ripped roofs, felled trees and flooded streets; INMET recorded near 60 km/h while civil defense reported 100 km/h, and 15 families received 144 m² of tarpaulin.
• Rio Grande do Sul logged storm impacts in about 17 additional municipalities, and forecasts warn of localized heavy rain and gusts up to 100 km/h through December 24.