The weather event can generate strong winds, hail, intense rain and tornadoes
One supercell, rare and severe storm, caused intense rain in Juiz de Fora in the early hours of this Tuesday (24), causing 23 deaths confirmed by the Minas Gerais Fire Department. According to the city hall, it rained more than double the volume expected for the entire month, making February this year the wettest in the city’s history.
According to Climatempo and information from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), Supercells are different from regular thunderstorms: are isolated, durable and organized, being able to remain active for several hours and travel long distances
They can generate strong winds, hail, heavy rain and tornadoeswith tornadoes being the most destructive events, but not the only ones capable of causing serious damage.
In Brazil, the phenomenon occurs mainly in the South and Southeast regions. It forms in the warm part of low pressure systems and often propagates along cold fronts, with rotation caused by wind currents that tilt the air movement, creating mesocyclones within the clouds.
After the supercell passed, Juiz de Fora dawned with flooded areas and islanded neighborhoods, as well as points where the Paraibuna River and streams overflowed.
Several regions registered landslides and tree falls, in addition to the collapse of two buildings. The municipality’s Civil Defense estimates that 440 people are homeless.
The city is in state of calamity. Due to the situation, the federal government sent teams from the SUS National Force and the National Civil Defense to support relief and assistance work on site.
*Estadão Content
