Tornado F2 hits Maringá and leaves trail of destruction, confirms Simepar

The tornado in Maringá, in the Northwest of Paraná, was confirmed on Tuesday (3) by the Paraná Environmental Technology and Monitoring System (Simepar). The phenomenon hit the city early on Monday and received preliminary F2 rating on the Fujita Scale, with estimated winds between 180 km/h and 253 km/h. The storm left a trail of destruction, caused tree falls, flashes and disruptions in the power supply.

The confirmation came after analyses carried out by the meteorologists of Simepar, who evaluated radar information, aerial images captured by drones and damage recorded in different points of the municipality. The classification may still be revised as the technical surveys progress.

Tornado F2 could cause significant destruction

According to Simepar, the F2 category on the Fujita Scale corresponds to estimated winds between 180 km/h and 253 km/h. This intensity can uproot trees, destroy roofs, compromise buildings and throw objects at great distances.

The Fujita Scale is used to classify tornadoes from the damage observed in the affected areas. The categories range from F0, considered the least intense, to F5, associated with phenomena of greater destructive power.

In the case of the tornado in Maringá, the preliminary analysis of the meteorologists indicated characteristics compatible with the category F2, considered capable of causing severe damage to urban infrastructure.

Thousands of homes still without power

The damage to the electricity grid is among the main consequences of the tornado. According to the balance sheet presented by the Companhia Paranaense de Energia (Copel), more than 47,000 properties remained without electricity supply early Tuesday night (3).

Of that total, more than 39,000 consumer units had been without power for more than 24 hours.

The company mobilized approximately 900 workers to work on rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and restoring service.

The survey indicates 219 posts destroyed, 51 already replaced and 122 in the process of replacement. Approximately eight kilometers of power grid were damaged by the force of the storm.

Fallen trees, blocked streets and damaged barracks

The impacts of the tornado in Maringá were recorded in different neighborhoods. The City Council recorded approximately 900 occurrences related to the fall of trees, which caused roadblocks, damage to vehicles and difficulties in circulation.

One of the structures hit was the Fire Department headquarters. Part of the coverage collapsed during the storm, hitting archives, furniture and electronic equipment.

Approximately 600 people searched for tarps to protect their homes after the flashes.

To assist in the recovery of the city, the City also mobilized cleaning teams and reported the activation of 57 inmates of the penal system to collaborate in the work of removing debris and unobstructed roads.

Tornado destroyed company barracks

The industrial sector also suffered significant losses. In the Parque das Indústrias neighborhood, one of the most affected locations, business barracks have been torn off and parts of the structures compromised.

An agricultural parts factory, in operation for more than ten years, has reported damage to roofs, walls, furniture and vehicles. The unit has more than 150 employees, who have begun to evaluate the impacts and conditions for the resumption of activities.

The material losses are still being raised by those responsible for the establishments.

Paraná follows under attention for new storms

In addition to the recovery work in Maringá, the weather forecast requires attention in different regions of the Paraná.

There is a possibility of intense and isolated rainfall, accompanied by gusts of wind close to 70 km/h, especially between this Tuesday (3) and Thursday (5).

In Campos Gerais, residents of Ponta Grossa and neighboring municipalities should keep up to date with Simepar newsletters and Defesa Civil releases, especially in the face of the possibility of rapid changes in weather conditions.

The confirmation of the tornado in Maringá reinforces the importance of weather monitoring, warning systems and preventive measures to reduce the risks associated with severe phenomena.