Two Tornadoes Confirmed in Western Santa Catarina, Triggering Widespread Damage

Overview

• Defesa Civil confirmed late Wednesday that two tornadoes hit Xanxerê and Chapecó, with recorded gusts up to about 126 km/h and radar evidence of rotating circulation.
• The agency reported 4,642 residences affected across 92 municipalities, 288 people impacted, 144 staying with relatives, 44 in public shelters and one confirmed death in Rio Negrinho.
• Twenty municipalities have declared states of emergency and the state suspended in-person classes for at least two days while local authorities carry out damage assessments and rescue operations.
• Chapecó airport suffered heavy structural damage that forced flight cancellations through November 6, and regional power utilities said nearly 190,000 households lost electricity at the storm’s peak.
• Relief and restoration work is ongoing with emergency services, utilities and municipal governments prioritizing repairs, sheltering and power restoration while authorities monitor secondary risks to transport and housing.