World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
Storms in Santa Catarina kill one and damage homes, schools and health facilities
Storms and tornadoes hit Santa Catarina in southern Brazil on Wednesday, causing widespread damage.
One man died in Rio Negrinho after a fuel station structure collapsed onto him.
The state fire service said 24 people were injured and more than 47,000 affected.
The Civil Defense agency recorded damage to homes, 86 schools and 20 health facilities, and confirmed a tornado in the Chapecó region.
Emergency crews rescued people trapped by floodwater, including at schools, while more than 200 firefighters worked across the state.
Authorities declared emergencies in 13 regions, and rescue teams remain on standby as some incidents continue.
The rain is expected to ease, but officials advise people to avoid flooded roads and stay away from roofs during the storms.
Storms and tornadoes in Santa Catarina killed one person and led to about 200 emergency responses on Wednesday.
The state fire brigade confirmed that a 20-year-old man died after a fuel station structure collapsed on BR-280 in Rio Negrinho.
The storms left 24 people injured and affected about 47,096 people, according to the state Civil Defense.
They damaged 86 schools, 20 health facilities and thousands of homes.
Firefighters carried out rescues in several cities, including Rio do Sul and Lages.
- Who
- One man, aged 20, died. The storms also injured 24 people.
- What
- Storms and tornadoes caused about 200 emergency incidents and damaged homes and public facilities.
- When
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Santa Catarina, Brazil, including Rio Negrinho, Chapecó, Rio do Sul and Lages.
- Why
- The storms and tornadoes caused the damage. The sources do not state what caused the severe weather.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Storms and tornadoes hit several regions of Santa Catarina, prompting about 200 emergency responses.
A fuel station structure collapsed on BR-280 in Rio Negrinho, fatally injuring a 20-year-old man.
Firefighters rescued people from flooded areas and schools, including in Rio do Sul and Lages.
- Deaths
- 1
- Emergency responses
- About 200
- Injured
- 24 people
- People affected
- 47,096
- Schools damaged
- 86
- Health facilities damaged
- 20
3 sources
What people are saying
continues working throughout the state. The forecast is for the rains to reduce in intensity, but we still have some incidents ongoing across the state.