More Brazil News...It looks like some are better infomed now

[Hyperstorm]

Hurricane can reach the southern region of the State

Ariadne Niero

Criciúma - A meteorological phenomenon atypical for this region is predicted for the end of the week. A hurricane classified as Category 1, that formed in the ocean, should arrive to the coast of southern Santa Catarina and northern Rio Grande do Sul. A category 1 of hurricane means that the winds can vary between 118 km/h and 152 km/h, a speed that does not cause damage to constructions, but can cause at a maximum knocked down trees, floods and waves of 3 meters of height.

According to the meteorologist from Epagri, Márcio Sônego, the phenomenon is being monitored by meteorologists of the State in tandem with the United States National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration. Sônego says that this will be the first hurricane recorded in Brazil.

Yesterday evening, the cyclone was in hurricane category and had a diameter of 500 kilometres, equaling the distance between Criciúma and Curitiba. “Readings indicate this is a hurricane. The situation is critical”, highlights.

According to Sônego, the decreased pressure in the Atlantic Ocean resulted in the formation of the phenomenon. “We are surprised. This type of cyclone had never come so close to the coast of Santa Catarina.”, explains.

In Florianópolis, meteorologist Gilsânia Araújo alerts for risks of problems in the sea. “The climate will change rapidly. People must stay in alert for copious rains. Nobody should enter high-seas and there can be wind squalls.”, he comments.

The forecast was for winds of up to 120 km/h, with risks of flooding and mudslides. Sônego alerts that localities with risks of flooding should be abandoned.

The National Hurricane Center of the United States treats the matter as the first hurricane in the history of Brazil. Latest information reviewed by the climatologist Ronaldo Coutinho says that the phenomenon should reach with more intensity in the State between 6 and 7 on Sunday, in the region that goes from Florianópolis to Porto Alegre. However, there is still the possibility of it staying in the ocean and not reaching the cities.

News Source: Criciuma Newspaper
http://www.jmnet.com.br/