Rio Grande, Brazil – Coastal areas of Rio Grande experienced flooding and strong winds Saturday morning (May 3) as a cold front brought a surge of water over dunes and raised water levels in Lagoa dos Patos. The unusual conditions, driven by winds gusting up to 55.4 km/h, impacted beaches and low-lying neighborhoods.
Casino Beach saw water advancing over the dunes, flooding stretches of sand near Avenida Beira-Mar. The phenomenon is directly linked to the arrival of a cold front combined with southwest winds pushing water towards the coast.
Rising Waters and Gusty Winds
Table of Contents
A cold front and strong winds caused flooding in coastal areas of Rio Grande.
The winds also impacted lower areas of Rio Grande, causing occasional flooding around the edge of Lagoa dos Patos throughout the morning. Fortunately, there were no reports of displaced or homeless families.
The water level of the lagoon reached 17.3 cm above the reference elevation of 80 cm, according to authorities.
In Cidade Nova, streets like Marechal Deodoro and Lagoa Azul were partially blocked. In Vila Mangueira, Barra, and Dom Bosquinho, water from canals and Saco da Mangueira overflowed onto main roads, but did not cause damage to homes.
Understanding Lagoa dos Patos Water Levels
The level of Lagoa dos Patos is measured using a linigraph, a specialized instrument installed near the pier of the Historic Port of Rio Grande.
The reference point for measurements is “ground zero” of the tide gauge at the Port of Imbituba (SC), used for all water body measurements across the country. Civil Defense officials note that flooding in lower areas of the city can occur when water reaches this level.
Damage Reported in Santa Vitória do Palmar
The strong winds also caused damage to structures on Hermenegildo beach, in Santa Vitória do Palmar. During the early hours of Saturday (3), at least six rescue stations in the Barra do Chuí and Hermenegildo resorts were destroyed. Wave heights exceeded two meters, according to the Chuí Fire Department.
