Storm hits Ribeirão Preto region and causes damage in Rifaina and Guariba

The heavy rain that hit the region of Ribeirão Preto (SP) this Saturday afternoon (7) caused damage, mainly in Rifaina and Guariba. There are reports of falling trees and power outages in both cities.

Videos to which EPTV, a TV Globo affiliate, had access, show the strength of the winds. The state of alert issued by the Civil Defense of the State of São Paulo indicated the possibility of gusts of up to 70km/h.

Until the last update of this report, there was no information about injured or homeless people.

Civil Defense reported that, in the next few hours, the weather will become cloudy again and new rain showers are expected throughout the night, isolated and without lasting for long. There is a risk of new storms, even if quickly.

In a note sent to EPTV, CPFL informed that CPFL Paulista reports that the rain caused occasional impacts on the electricity grid in the municipalities.

"Teams were quickly mobilized and are working to restore power to affected customers, safely, in the shortest possible time."

In Rifaina, a tree fell on a car and another blocked a street.

According to Guariba City Hall, in Praça Central, some trees were felled by the force of the winds. There was also the displacement of ETEC tiles, which hit the gate of a residence.

"Fortunately, there was no damage to the residence and no reports of victims. The workers who were at the scene removed the tiles", it says in a note.

According to the city hall, on Avenida Milton Rocca there was roofing and broken wires.

"The City Hall, through the Municipal Civil Defense, continues to monitor the occurrences and adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the population and the recovery of the affected areas."

Residents are advised to pay extra attention, avoid areas with damaged trees or structures and, above all, not approach fallen or broken wires.