Hail that fell in western Rio Grande do Sul directly damaged homes and residents’ daily lives.
Even after the September 27 state civil defense tally was released, strong storm warnings continued in neighboring areas.
The key distinction in this situation is between the already confirmed extent of the damage and the risks forecast for September 28.
3-Line Summary
1. Hail damage was concentrated in Rio Grande do Sul
2. The September 27 tally found that 9,517 (9517) people were affected
3. The September 28 warning is intended to prevent damage
About 1,000 Homes Were Damaged in Santiago
According to the September 27 tally by the Civil Defense of Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state, weekend hail affected 9,517 (9517) people and damaged about 2,200 (2200) homes. There was 1 injured person, 10 displaced people, and 20 residents who had to leave their homes and seek temporary shelter. No deaths or missing people were reported.
The place where the greatest damage was confirmed was Santiago, an inland city in the state. A total of 5,000 residents were affected, and about 1,000 buildings were damaged. On September 26, hail reportedly covered the streets, making the ground appear white.
In Alegrete, a city in the western border region, 2,000 people were affected and 700 homes were damaged. The only injured person and the 10 displaced people counted by Civil Defense were also from this city. Capão do Cipó and Catuípe recorded 820 and 800 affected people, respectively.
Rainfall and Wind Gusts Are Forecasts; Damage Figures Are Tally Results
Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued an orange “danger” storm warning for Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states on September 28. The warning forecast rain of 30–60 mm per hour or 50–100 mm per day, wind gusts of 60–100 km/h, and the possibility of hail. The risk of flooding, fallen trees, crop damage, and power outages was also mentioned.
In Rio Grande do Sul, the warning covers several areas, including the southwest, northwest, and central-western parts of the state, as well as the Porto Alegre metropolitan area. In Santa Catarina, the areas covered include the mountainous region, the Itajaí Valley, the west, the Florianópolis metropolitan area, and the south.
The casualties and housing damage reported on September 27 are figures confirmed and released by Civil Defense, while the rainfall, wind gusts, and hail forecast for September 28 are predictions by a meteorological agency. Even though both concern the same storm system, the two types of information should not be treated as equally confirmed facts. The weather institute advised people to turn off electrical appliances and circuit breakers in homes during the storm and to avoid standing under trees at risk of being struck by lightning or falling.
References
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