Severe hailstorm injures more than 150 people and damages hundreds of homes, prompting state of emergency in Erechim, Brazil
A powerful hailstorm hit Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on November 23, 2025, producing hailstones up to 10 cm (3.9 inches) in diameter and injuring over 150 people. Authorities declared a state of emergency after damage extended across hundreds of homes and dozens of schools.
Severe hailstorm in Erechim, Brazil injured more than 150 people and damaged hundreds of homes, including at least 35 schools. on November 23, 2025. Image credit: MBN.
A powerful convective storm developed over northern Rio Grande do Sul during the afternoon of November 23, bringing heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, and hail to Erechim and surrounding municipalities.
According to the Civil Defence of Rio Grande do Sul (Defesa Civil RS), the hail event was triggered by a low-pressure system interacting with hot and humid air, generating strong updrafts capable of sustaining large hail formation.
The storm produced hailstones reportedly up to 10 cm (3.9 inches) in diameter, causing severe damage to roofs, vehicles, and power infrastructure.
Local officials said the hail fell for roughly 20 minutes, damaging hundreds of residential buildings. At least 35 schools sustained structural damage, including broken windows and collapsed roofs.
Hospitals in Erechim and nearby municipalities treated between 150 and 200 people for injuries related to hail impacts or debris from damaged structures. Most injuries involved cuts and head trauma from falling ice or roofing materials.
Defesa Civil RS confirmed that approximately 34 000 residents across the municipality were affected by the storm. The state government authorized emergency financial assistance of R$ 1.5 million (about USD 265 000) for immediate relief operations, including distribution of tarpaulins and repair materials for damaged roofs.
Mayor Paulo Polis declared a state of emergency to expedite relief efforts and announced that schools would remain closed following the event due to extensive structural damage and safety concerns.
Preliminary meteorological assessments indicate that the hailstorm occurred within a broader instability zone that also affected other regions of southern Brazil and parts of Paraguay in November 2025. Regional weather patterns were dominated by high surface moisture and convective instability linked to the advancing low-pressure trough over the continent.
While no fatalities have been reported, civil defense teams continue to survey rural areas for further damage and to verify final casualty and loss figures.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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