Deadly Tornado Kills Six, Injures Hundreds in Southern Brazil
A powerful tornado ripped through the state of Paraná in southern Brazil today, leaving at least six people dead and over 400 injured, according to local authorities.
Governor Ratinho Júnior described the event as an “unprecedented catastrophe in the history of the state of Paraná.” The hardest-hit town, Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, experienced winds potentially exceeding 250 km/h (155 mph), as reported by Simepar, the state’s meteorological service. Approximately 90% of homes and businesses in the municipality sustained damage, with widespread destruction visible in aerial footage. This disaster highlights Brazil’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events, a trend linked to climate change.
The fatalities include three men aged 49, 57, and 83, along with two women aged 47 and 14, all from Rio Bonito do Iguaçu. A 53-year-old man was also killed in the nearby city of Guarapuava, and one person remains missing. “It’s unlikely that any house, or even a commercial building, will remain standing. We saw silos collapsing, gas stations,” Governor Júnior stated. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and authorities are still compiling information on the number of displaced individuals. For information on disaster preparedness, visit the Ready.gov website.
A state of “public calamity” has been declared, enabling the government to mobilize resources and request federal assistance. Climatempo, a Brazilian weather forecasting channel, warns that the cyclone is associated with a cold front and could bring wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h to states including Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. You can find more information about severe weather in Brazil at INEMA (Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology). Authorities are urging residents to avoid open areas and remain vigilant regarding potential hazards from falling structures and power lines.
Officials say they will continue to assess the full extent of the damage and provide updates as information becomes available.
