Severe storms produce massive sandstorm and damaging hail in central Argentina

A line of severe storms struck central Argentina on Friday, December 18, 2020, producing a massive sandstorm, powerful winds, and hail. Widespread power outages and property damage were reported.
In La Pampa, an enormous sandstorm caused extensive power outages, water disruptions, and a lot of damage, particularly in the Santa Rosa area. Powerful winds knocked down trees and destroyed stalls in the central square.
"The gust front generated an impressive sandstorm with frightening images," said Metsul Meteorologia.
Meteorologist Nacho Lopez Amorim of the National Meteorological Service of Argentina described the images as "apocalyptic."
TEMPO | Convecção gerando fortes áreas de tempestades no Centro da Argentina na tarde de hoje. Imagens de satélite via @CIRA_CSU. pic.twitter.com/udU6fDBHx8
— MetSul.com (@metsul) December 18, 2020
Alerta Clima. impresionantes imagenes de la tormenta que viajo desde #SanLuis luego por #LaPampa y ahora en #Cordoba. pic.twitter.com/BNj5JQ8t1O
— Cesar Tapia (@ctnewsweb) December 18, 2020
TEMPO | Mais fotos incríveis da impressionante tempestade de areia hoje em La Pampa, na Argentina. Leia alerta para Argentina e o Uruguai em https://t.co/Xx3jFwyYN5. Leia alerta para o Sul do Brasil em https://t.co/Nipu6tHtwC. pic.twitter.com/8qnMhJIKK7
— MetSul.com (@metsul) December 19, 2020
"Por si algo le faltaba al 2020, llegó un tornado", cuenta @solestadler desde Colonia Barón, La Pampa.
"Más de 200km a la redonda. Haciendo desastre". pic.twitter.com/EFBlX0QWkp
— Carola Urdangarin (@carourd_) December 18, 2020
Tranqui la tormenta en Santa Rosa, La Pampa pic.twitter.com/fVGyddcKjv
— Cafa (@tobillosdepapel) December 18, 2020
Tranqui la tormenta en Santa Rosa, La Pampa pic.twitter.com/fVGyddcKjv
— Cafa (@tobillosdepapel) December 18, 2020
In Cordoba, heavy rains and strong winds also caused property damage, including poles and trees. In Las Higueras, many roofs were torn, but no casualties were reported, according to Claudio Vignetta, the Secretary of Risk Management and Climate Change.
However, an elderly woman sustained injuries on her head after being hit by a fallen branch.
Rio Cuarto Fire Services head Guillermo Rafti added, "The very strong winds caused a large number of trees to fall in different sectors of the city, broken lighting, and downed cables."
Coronel Moldes pic.twitter.com/4UO9KIpYHe
— Germán Pablo Tinari (@germantinari) December 18, 2020
San Basilio pic.twitter.com/bUb52r96Hl
— Germán Pablo Tinari (@germantinari) December 18, 2020
@SMN_Argentina gran tormenta en Larroude, La Pampa. pic.twitter.com/yk4PGhhRzP
— Adolezco (@Adolezco) December 18, 2020
Due to fallen poles, residents in the city lost access to power. Provincial Energy Company of Cordoba spokesperson Alfredo Camponovo assured customers that the company's staff will visit the affected sectors to check and reestablish service.
"In these types of circumstances, the safety of the population is prioritized. Our staff is already working to restore the service in the shortest possible time."
#LaPampa Hace una hora
Impresionante video que #RubenGaite compartió en sus redes pic.twitter.com/xdjPuDAmbG
— INTAlluvias (@INTAlluvias) December 18, 2020
Vamos con algunos videos y fotos de las tormentas que están ocurriendo hoy viernes. Pueden agregar en los comentarios etiquetando a autor De ser posible.
Macachí, La Pampa @EnzoDamelio pic.twitter.com/EZ2Cc6oItJ— Cindy (@cindymfernandez) December 18, 2020
Eso iba a decir, aprovechar que es TT para que avisen (Radios, Tv) cuando viene tormenta. En Santa Rosa hizo desastres pic.twitter.com/LRDIkX0aw4
— Wan (@PavezWanda) December 18, 2020
Urgente!!! Huracán de arena en Santa Rosa (La Pampa) ahora pic.twitter.com/j205KJ3OGF
— revistachacra (@revistachacra) December 18, 2020
Featured image credit: Metsul Meteorologia
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