Extratropical Cyclone in southern Brazil

Torrential rain and winds caused by an extratropical cyclone left 27 people dead in southern Brazil at the start of September. The death toll is the highest recorded in the state for a climate event.

Several municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul were affected after more than 300mm (11 inches) of rain hit the state in less than 24 hours, triggering floods as rivers overflowed their banks and landslides. A total of 60 cities were battered by the storm and at least 1,650 people made homeless.

In the days following the disaster, rescuers searched for people stranded in flooded areas and the police and military deployed aircraft, helicopters and boats to help with the search and rescue operation.

This extreme flood event comes after Rio Grande do Sul was slammed by another cyclone in June that claimed the lives of at least 11 people. One of the many weather-related disasters to have recently struck Brazil.