WorldA violent tornado hit Brazil, destroying an airport and leaving thousands affectedMDZ Mundo•11/04/2026 – 22:09hs

A tornado with gusts of up to 126 kilometers per hour caused significant damage this Wednesday at the Chapecó airport, in southern Brazil. The phenomenon damaged the facilities, displaced a parked plane and forced flights to be suspended for an indefinite period.

The Civil Defense of Santa Catarina confirmed the tornado and noted that no victims were recorded. Among the damages at the Serafim Enoss Bertaso airport were broken glass and deformed metal structures.

The terminal concessionaire reported that operations will remain interrupted until safety inspections are completed. In addition, it recommended that passengers not go to the airport and consult directly with the airlines about possible cancellations or modifications of tickets.

Tornadoes and thousands of homes affected in southern Brazil

The authorities also confirmed another tornado in Xanxerê, a town west of Santa Catarina, where weather radars detected conditions compatible with the phenomenon and winds of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

The impact of the storms that have affected the region since Sunday reaches 86 municipalities of Santa Catarina. According to the official balance, 4,441 homes suffered damage and at least 13 towns declared an emergency. In addition, 34 people were left homeless and another 24 had to temporarily leave their homes.

In Chapecó, some 60,000 people were left without electricity. Given the magnitude of the damage, municipal authorities suspended classes and began distributing tarps to protect the affected homes.

Rio Grande do Sul also registers serious consequences

The panorama is also complex in the neighboring state of Río Grande do Sul, where rains, hail and strong winds affected 102 municipalities. There, 6,373 homes were damaged and nearly 47,000 people were affected.

Among the most affected towns are Espumoso, with 600 homes damaged, and Nova Prata, where strong winds affected 2,700 homes and left 15 injured. In total, authorities counted 24 people injured in the state.

The instability system associated with a cold front will continue its movement northward. Starting on Thursday, it will advance over Paraná and São Paulo, where heavy rains, thunderstorms and wind gusts that could reach 80 kilometers per hour are expected.