In a terrifying display of nature's fury, a city in southern Brazil was pummelled by a freak hailstorm, with chunks of ice described as being the size of baseballs causing catastrophic damage and forcing the local government to declare a state of emergency.
Scene of Destruction
The violent storm struck the city of Erechim on Sunday, November 23, beginning suddenly at around 4.40pm. Incredible video footage, which quickly circulated on social media platforms like Reddit, captured the alarming event from inside a residential home. The clip shows large hailstones relentlessly battering windows and glass doors, each impact producing a loud, jarring bang.
The view then shifts to the home's roof, which was left riddled with holes by the force of the impact. The video cuts back inside, where water is seen pouring through the compromised ceiling into bedrooms and a hallway, illustrating the immediate and severe consequences for homeowners.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Response
The scale of the disaster was immense. Local authorities reported that approximately 5,000 homes were severely damaged, with a further 30,000 properties affected by the storm's onslaught. The hailstones, some also compared to the size of chicken eggs, struck roofs, vehicles, and public buildings within seconds, rendering many vehicles unusable.
The situation was worsened by severe winds that accompanied the hail, toppling power lines and poles. This blocked roads, created dangerous hazards from live electrical cables, and caused widespread power outages across the city. Fallen trees further disrupted transportation, hampering the efforts of emergency response teams.
Firefighters, civil defence, and municipal crews were inundated with calls from the start of the event, dividing their efforts between structural damage assessments, clearing debris, and managing the public safety risk. Authorities urgently advised citizens to stay indoors and only venture outside if absolutely necessary.
A Storm of Unprecedented Scale
Residents of Erechim reported that the intensity of the hailstorm was a shock, even for those accustomed to severe weather in the region. Many stated that although they had experienced hailstorms before, this event was on a completely different and terrifying scale.
The hailstorm that hit Erechim on Sunday has been recorded as one of the city's worst natural disasters. With 5,000 homes severely damaged and 30,000 affected, the long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts are now the primary focus for local and state authorities as they work to support the stricken community.
