On Saturday, April 19, 2025, at approximately 5:40 AM, a powerful storm struck the city of Chapecó, located in the West of Santa Catarina, causing significant damage primarily in the northern regions of the municipality. The neighborhoods most affected included Líder, Trevo, Belvedere, and Bela Vista, where residents reported numerous incidents of roof damage, flooding, and even landslides.
The storm's intensity was characterized by strong winds, estimated to exceed 80 to 100 kilometers per hour, leading to what the Civil Defense has identified as a microburst—a phenomenon where a concentrated downdraft of wind descends from a storm cloud, causing destruction upon impact. According to Walter Parizotto, the Director of the Civil Defense of Chapecó, the storm began to affect the area around 6 AM, with the most severe conditions observed in the northern neighborhoods such as Belvedere, Eldorado, and Vila Rica.
Reports indicate that at least 59 residences suffered varying degrees of damage, including extensive roof damage and water infiltration. In the Líder neighborhood, fallen trees obstructed multiple roads, complicating recovery efforts. The storm also caused significant disruptions to local infrastructure, with signs thrown onto the streets and flooding reported along the highways.
In addition to residential damage, a poultry house in the Linha Tormen community was completely destroyed, with many birds inside at the time. Lucas Tormem, an agronomist who arrived at his family property post-storm, described the devastation: "In just minutes, the poultry house was destroyed. It’s as if the trees were scorched in the middle." This incident highlights the severe impact of the storm on local agriculture, as farmers like Dirceu Tomasi reported losses of around R$ 30,000 due to the destruction of six vegetable greenhouses.
Emergency teams from the Civil Defense, Municipal Guard, and Fire Department have been actively responding to incidents since the early hours of Saturday. They are distributing tarps to residents whose homes were damaged, advising them to contact the Civil Defense at the emergency numbers 199 or 153 for assistance. Many communities remain without communication, complicating the overall response.
As the storm's aftermath unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Parizotto has confirmed that 75 families have already received aid, and teams continue to assess the damage while working to restore normalcy in the affected areas. The Civil Defense is also investigating whether the storm's intensity qualifies as a microburst, a rare and dangerous weather event.
In addition to the immediate impacts in Chapecó, the storm has raised concerns about potential further weather instability in the region. As the cold front advances, additional storms are expected throughout central, eastern, and northern Santa Catarina, which could bring intense rainfall, strong winds, and even hail.
Residents are urged to stay informed and heed any alerts from local authorities as recovery efforts continue. The community has begun to organize support for those affected, showcasing resilience in the face of natural disasters. While the storm has left a trail of destruction, the collective effort of emergency services and community members aims to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
As Chapecó begins to recover from this storm, the focus now shifts to assessing the long-term effects on the community and its infrastructure. The damage caused by the storm serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of such unpredictable weather events.
