Severe storms flood Rio Grande do Sul, up to 200 mm rain forecast
The State Defense Civil of Rio Grande do Sul issued an alert for severe thunderstorms from 26 July to 28 July 2026. The system may produce hail, wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h and rainfall totals of up to 200 mm within 48 hours, especially in the western, Campanha, central, southern and coastal zones.
More than 200 municipalities have reported damage; at least 682 people are displaced in 47 municipalities after floods, landslides, power outages, bridge submersions and road blockages. Rivers such as the Jacuí and the Uruguai remain above flood stage, and the Ibirapuitã is near its alert level. The Defense Civil has placed cities including Uruguaiana, São Borja, Santa Maria, São Gabriel, Santa Cruz do Sul, Camaquã, Porto Alegre, Gramado and Tramandaí under highest alert. Neighboring states Paraná and Santa Catarina also face isolated thunderstorms as the same cold front and extratropical cyclone move across the southern region.
Entities: Porto Alegre · Rio Jacuí · State Defense Civil of Rio Grande do Sul · Uruguai River · Uruguaiana
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 19 SOURCES] Storms could produce rainfall up to 200 mm within 48 hours. (Defesa Civil do RS)
- [● 12 SOURCES] At least 682 people are displaced in 47 municipalities. (Defesa Civil do RS)
- [● 19 SOURCES] Wind gusts may exceed 90 km/h during the storms. (Defesa Civil do RS)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Neighbouring states Paraná and Santa Catarina also face isolated thunderstorms as the system moves south. (Defesa Civil do RS / Meteorological agencies)
- [● 19 SOURCES] The Defense Civil of Rio Grande do Sul issued an alert for severe thunderstorms from 26 July to 28 July 2026. (Defesa Civil do RS)
- [● 11 SOURCES] The storms have caused power outages, bridge submersions, road blockages and landslides. (Defesa Civil do RS)
- [● 12 SOURCES] More than 200 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul have been affected by the storms. (Defesa Civil do RS)
- [● 17 SOURCES] Rivers Jacuí, Uruguai and Ibirapuitã are above flood stage or near alert levels. (Defesa Civil do RS)