Severe storm hits Concordia, Argentina and Salto, Uruguay

A powerful storm with tornado‑like winds struck Concordia in Argentina early Saturday, blowing off roofs, snapping trees and downing power lines. The outage affected high‑, medium‑ and low‑voltage networks, leaving the city without electricity for more than 12 hours and halting the water‑treatment plant. One death was reported. In nearby Salto, Uruguay, meteorologists confirmed a downburst rather than a tornado, recording wind gusts up to 128.9 km/h over a 14‑km damage path and similar destruction of trees, roofs and infrastructure.

In Concordia, Mayor Francisco Azcué mobilised municipal crews to clear debris, restore street lighting and electricity, and assist affected families. The municipal assistance programme logged more than 400 aid requests, prioritising vulnerable households and coordinating with the Secretariat of Public Services and the Directorate of Electrotechnics. Residents could request help via a dedicated WhatsApp line. Governor Rogelio Frigerio pledged AR$200 million in reconstruction funds. The response also included health centre operations and a survey of commercial damages.

The storm’s impact was felt across multiple Argentine districts and several Uruguayan departments, illustrating a regional severe weather event.