Monster tornado devastates Brazil’s Paraná state
At least six people lost their lives and more than 700 were injured when a powerful tornado struck the southern Brazilian state of Paraná. Local authorities described it as one of the most extreme weather events ever recorded in the region.
Following detailed damage analysis, the state climate monitoring agency Simepar upgraded Friday’s tornado from category F2 to F3. The agency’s meteorologist Lizandro Jacobsen noted:
“In terms of magnitude, it was certainly the most devastating tornado we’ve ever had in the state of Paraná.”
Widespread destruction in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu
Images released by Paraná’s Civil Defense revealed massive devastation in the municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu. Houses, vehicles, and roads suffered severe damage, with authorities reporting that more than 90 percent of the town was affected.
Emergency teams are working to restore water and electricity as recovery efforts continue.
Tornado intensity and regional context
The U.S. National Weather Service classifies an F3 tornado as “severe,” with wind speeds of 158 to 206 mph (254 to 331 km/h). Southern Brazil, known for its agricultural output, has faced a rise in extreme weather episodes in recent years.
Heavy rainfall in November led officials to declare states of emergency in several Paraná municipalities.
Author’s Summary
A rare F3 tornado struck Paraná, Brazil, killing six and injuring hundreds, exposing the region’s growing vulnerability to increasingly severe weather patterns.