Tornado confirmed in Campo Erê, Santa Catarina

The Civil Defense of Santa Catarina has officially confirmed that a large tornado struck a rural area of Campo Erê, in western Santa Catarina, on Sunday evening. The phenomenon occurred around 7:26 PM, following meteorological radar signals of rotation detected in the Chapecó region approximately 14 minutes earlier.

Analysis of radar imagery, ground records, and drone footage revealed a narrow, continuous path of destruction. Damage included uprooted trees, destroyed sheds, and roofs being torn off residential buildings. The pattern of damage, with structures and trees falling in different directions, is consistent with rotating winds rather than standard wind gusts.

While the tornado was described by storm chasers as an “immense tornado” and classified as a wedge-type tornado, no casualties have been reported. The Civil Defense had issued a severe storm alert via the cell broadcast system roughly 45 minutes before the event occurred.