Severe hail and storms affect 39,000+ in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

A severe weather system brought intense rainfall, hail, and high winds across Rio Grande do Sul from Friday, September 25 through Monday, September 28, 2026, impacting 78 municipalities across the state. According to the Rio Grande do Sul Civil Defense, the event caused 83 recorded incidents, with over 39,000 people affected, 4,982 residences damaged, and 6,088 people displaced from their homes.

Santiago and Alegrete emerged as the hardest-hit municipalities. Santiago reported over 26,000 people affected, 3,000 damaged residences, and 6,000 displaced residents. Alegrete recorded over 2,000 people affected and 400 damaged homes. In Santiago, hail fell in such volume that streets were covered in a white layer of ice. Other significantly impacted towns included Santana do Livramento, Capão do Cipó, Itaara, and Erval Grande.

The storm system originated from a low-pressure area positioned between northern Argentina and Paraguay, which transported warm, humid air into Rio Grande do Sul, creating conditions for severe thunderstorms. Wind gusts exceeded 90 km/h in several regions, and rainfall accumulation surpassed 200 millimeters between Saturday and Monday in the Campanha and western zones, with some areas recording over 170 millimeters in 24 hours. Arvorezinha recorded the highest single accumulation at 140.4 millimeters.

The Civil Defense confirmed four people injured—two from Pontão, one from Alegrete, and one from Capão do Cipó—with no deaths or missing persons reported. Additional damages included 153 roofs destroyed, 17 flooded homes, 28 educational facilities damaged, 4 health facilities affected, and multiple utility infrastructure impacts. The state Civil Defense deployed support to affected municipalities, distributing tarps and roofing materials. The event also triggered mass movements of soil and mud in several locations.

Rain forecasts indicated continued instability through the event period, with state authorities monitoring potential rises in the Rio dos Sinos river due to sustained rainfall. Preliminary damage assessments remained under update as municipalities submitted additional reports to the Civil Defense.