Storm causes damage in Porto Alegre and leaves neighborhoods without power

A strong storm hit Porto Alegre in the early hours and morning of this Thursday (21), causing extensive damage throughout the city. According to the city hall via social media, several trees fell and there are records of neighborhoods without electricity. Winds reached 90 km/h, according to Inmet.

The rain was followed by strong winds. Two lanes on Rua Xavier da Cunha x Av Cavalhada, in the south zone, were blocked by a falling tree.

🚧 Fallen tree blocking two lanes on Rua Xavier da Cunha x Av Cavalhada, south zone. pic.twitter.com/hJq2L6IeKg

— Porto Alegre (@Prefeitura_POA) March 21, 2024

The city hall reported that the traffic light inspection and maintenance teams were reinforced and moved to the most critical points and with the greatest risk of accidents, due to the power outage that turned off the traffic lights.

The central region was one of the hardest hit. On social media, residents of Porto Alegre mentioned the power of the storm, which was followed by a strong wind.

At least three water treatment plants belonging to the Municipal Water and Sewage Department were shut down due to power outages. The possibility of shortages in the regions of São João, Menino Deus and Ilhas.

💧Update @dmaepoa

Three Water Treatment Stations (ETAs) are out of operation due to lack of electricity (São João, Menino Deus and Ilhas), which could lead to shortages in these regions.

— Porto Alegre (@Prefeitura_POA) March 21, 2024

Porto Alegre city hall also advises the cancellation of classes in municipal schools without power or affected by rain.

All of Rio Grande do Sul is on alert for storms, according to the National Institute of Meteorology. The alert is valid for the entire Friday.

Damage across the state

Several federal highways are blocked in Rio Grande do Sul due to the rain. See Civil Defense balance sheet.

BR-116: Km 181 (Nova Petrópolis) – Partial closure. Only available for light vehicles with a height limit of 2.6m (there is a barrier on site that limits the height). Traffic flowing through a traffic signal system that operates 24 hours a day).

BR-290: Km 353.9 (São Sepé) – Partial closure. Bridge over the Arroio Bossoroca. Traffic allowed using the “Stop and Follow” system for light and heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicles are limited to passing over the structure one at a time.

BR-153: Km 412 (Cachoeira do Sul) – Total ban for vehicles over 18 tons. Partial closure (increasing direction) with “Stop and Go” system for other vehicles; Direction Novos Cabrais x Caçapava do Sul. Fandango Bridge over the Jacuí River. Ferry service interrupted on 28/01 due to
undetermined time.

BR-290: Between km 155 and km 296 (Arroio dos Ratos – Cachoeira do Sul) there are several trees on the road. Only partial blocks. Teams from PRF, CRBM-RS and Civil Defense working to free up the stretch.

BR 285: Partial blockages due to trees over the road in the Ijuí region.