September is the wettest month of the year in southern Brazil and torrential downpours are common. At this time of the year, cold air from Antarctica pushes northwards and slams into the topical air situated over central parts of the continent. This generates intense weather, which can produce tremendous amounts of rain. In September 2013 severe weather ripped through southern Brazil. The storm triggered widespread flooding and even generated a tornado in the town of Taquarituba. The tornado struck 320km west of Sao Paulo, leaving two people dead and 64 injured. One of the people who died was a bus driver. The vehicle was overturned, killing the driver and injuring others. The second was a young man playing soccer in a gymnasium, the tornado’s fierce winds tore off the roof killing him inside. Roofs were torn from homes and trees and power lines were destroyed, cutting services to the region. The tornado was reported to have lasted only two minutes but destroying 600 homes and 26 businesses in Sao Paulo. The state of Santa Catarina, the south of Sao Paulo was the worst affected from the rain. Homes and businesses were flooded so bad that only roofs were visible. 30 thousand people were forced from their homes, leaving authorities struggling to find enough water and food for those affected. Images from the town showed widespread destruction, with buildings collapsed and debris strewn across the ground. Total economic losses in the town were listed at BRL200 million (USD90 million).
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