A severe storm with strong winds hit Farroupilha in Rio Grande do Sul on Tuesday (December 23, 2025), destroying at least 15 houses and damaging a municipal school. The Vila Rica community was the most affected, but there were no injuries. Rescue teams continue to operate in the area.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Farroupilha in the Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul was hit by a severe storm with intense rain and strong winds, classified as a tornado by authorities. The event destroyed at least 15 homes, mainly in the Vila Rica community, where roofs were torn off and trees fell. The Escola Municipal de Ensino Fundamental José Chesini, located in Vila Rica, had part of its roof removed and was flooded, but no one was present at the time, preventing injuries.
Other parts of the city also sustained damage: a tree fell on Rua Pedro Antonello, accessing the Primeiro de Maio neighborhood, and was removed with support from the Ecofar concessionaire; another fell in the São Luiz community. In the Imigrante neighborhood, a residence and a building on Rua Luis Sebben lost their roofs. The Garibaldi Volunteer Fire Department installed tarps to protect affected properties, while the municipal and state Civil Defense coordinate cleanup and assistance.
State Civil Defense coordinator Colonel Luciano Chaves Boeira visited the site to assess the damage and plan reconstruction efforts. Authorities advise residents to avoid affected areas due to damaged electrical wires. Forecasts predict moderate to heavy rain across Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday (December 24), heightening vigilance.
