2005 Indaiatuba Brazil tornado
On May 25, 2005, a violent F3 multi-vortex tornado struck Indaiatuba, in São Paulo, Brazil. The tornado caused damage estimated at R$97.2 million (BRL), which caused the government to declare a state of public calamity. This was the first multi-vortex tornado to be registered in the Southern Hemisphere and the first violent one to be recorded through images.[1]
| F3 tornado | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 25, 2005 |
| Dissipated | May 25, 2005 |
| Max. rating1 | F3 tornado |
| Highest winds |
|
| Damage | R$ 97.2 million (estimate) |
| Areas affected | Indaiatuba, Brazil |
| 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale | |
Event
A cold front that hit the state of São Paulo since Tuesday has caused a tornado in the city. The tornado was classified as F1, but shortly afterwards it was reclassified as F3 after the damage counts. The tornado occurred around a Tuesday afternoon leaving a huge destruction trail in the city. The winds surpassed 125 mph.[2]
Damage
Three high-voltage towers were destroyed by the tornado in the region near the Toyota building. In all, 220 electric power poles were toppled and damaged; and schools, health posts and part of the city hall were also destroyed. At least 400 houses were damaged; and strong winds knocked down walls, roofs, metal structures, poles, sheds, and trees.[3]
There were at least 400 companies in the industrial district, of which 15 were totally destroyed. In addition, all 720 companies that exist in the region have stood by the lack of electricity. The force of the wind knocked down and derailed 18 wagons that were empty and parked on the Ferroban lines in the Pimenta neighborhood, each wagon weighing approximately 25 tons. The buildings of the National Industrial Service (Senai) were destroyed by the tornado, which dismantled the gate, caused smashing, broke windows, ripped trees and knocked down the fences.
Following a destructive trail through the city, the tornado hit the neighborhoods Esplanada, Pau Preto, Remulo Zoppi, Cecap, Jardim Renata, Mercedes, Oliveira Camargo and Pimenta. However, the Industrial District was the hardest hit neighborhood. The wind tossed parts of the roofs of several sheds, which were found at a distance of up to three kilometers. Some structures have even crossed the Santos Dumont highway.
Victims
At least 60 people were left homeless, of which 35 were sent by the City Hall to the Maria Benedita Municipal School in Jardim Morada do Sol. The rest went to relatives' homes.