EF3 tornado devastates Rio Bonito do Iguaçu with winds of 250 km/h and leaves six dead in Paraná Por Luís Henrique Costa
1 min de leitura
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A tornado classified as EF3, with winds of up to 250 km/h, hit Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, in the center-south of Paraná, on Friday afternoon (7). The phenomenon resulted in six deaths and more than 432 injuries, according to Civil Defense data. The city of around 14 thousand inhabitants had 80% of its area destroyed.
Five fatalities occurred in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, including three men aged 49, 57 and 83, and two women aged 47 and 14. An additional death was recorded in Guarapuava, involving a 53-year-old man. More than a thousand people were left homeless.
- Houses had roofs ripped off.
- Power poles fell on several streets.
- Trees were blown down by the strong wind.
- Properties suffered significant structural damage.
Formation of meteorological phenomenon
Simepar identified the tornado as part of a supercell, with a mesocyclone rotating inside the cloud. Factors such as high humidity and wind shear contributed to the event. Meteorologist Samuel Braun highlighted the intense rotation of winds as a difference in relation to common storms.
Damage recorded in the region
Rescue teams located debris in streets and gyms. A cultural center collapsed during a judo class, but children were protected in a safe area. A pharmacy had walls destroyed, and vehicles were moved up to ten meters.
Residents reported it took 30 to 40 seconds for the tornado to pass. Hail accompanied the strong wind in parts of the city.
Immediate relief actions
The government of Paraná sent 30 firefighters from nearby cities and 20 from the Tactical Relief Operations Group, with search dogs. Ambulances from Cascavel and Guarapuava helped transport the injured. Regional hospitals operate at their limit, with beds available in other locations.
Trucks loaded with basic food baskets, hygiene kits and dormitory items left Curitiba. A command base was set up in Guarapuava to coordinate care.
Intensity in neighboring municipalities
Wind gusts exceeded 60 km/h in several cities in Paraná. Dois Vizinhos recorded 82.4 km/h at 7pm. Cornélio Procópio reached 76 km/h at 8:30 pm.
Other measurements include:
- Campo Mourão: 74.2 km/h at 9:30 pm.
- Candói: 73.1 km/h at 5pm.
- Plateau: 70.9 km/h at 3pm.
Federal planning assistance
Minister Waldez Góes organizes the sending of teams and resources for reconstruction, under presidential guidance. Volunteers and police work to remove debris in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu and surrounding areas.
Municipalities such as Laranjeiras do Sul, Cantagalo and Porto Barreiro receive emergency support. The extratropical cyclone responsible for the tornado also affects Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.
Local infrastructure damage
Fallen poles interrupt power supply to entire neighborhoods. Trees block the city’s main access points. Commercial properties, including pharmacies, show total losses.
City hall teams remove debris to clear roads. More than 432 people received medical care in overloaded units.
- Residential structures suffered total roof damage.
- Vehicles were displaced by the gusts.
- Hailfall worsened the damage.
