SAO PAULO (AP) — More than 1.6 million people in Sao Paulo were without power Saturday, more than 16 hours after a short but powerful storm ripped through South America’s largest city.
Officials in Sao Paulo state said record wind gusts of up to 108 km per hour toppled transmission lines and uprooted trees on Friday evening. causing serious damage in some places. According to the Sao Paulo state government, the storm also closed several airports and interrupted water supplies in several areas.
Authorities originally expected to restore power within a few hours. But several neighborhoods in the metropolitan area, home to 21 million people, were still in limbo on Saturday and authorities urged residents to limit their water use.
One person died when a tree fell on an outdoor shed, authorities said. At least four other people in surrounding Sao Paulo state were also killed.