Clinging to a tree branch or staying under the dining table were among the strategies used by residents in moments of despair during the hurricane that devastated the city of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, in Paraná, on Friday (7). Construction pieces flew from homes and damaged other property during the severe storm that left eight people dead in the southern region.
Government employee Leandro Gilmam, 45, says he was surprised by a giant water tank whose source he does not yet know, because it does not belong to any of his neighbors. “My family and I welcomed each other under the table,” he says. “It is something inexplicable, but it is God’s miracle that we are alive.”
Retiree Teresa Beto, 88, says the stove saved her life. The wall of the house collapsed towards him, but the device located higher up provided protection. The stove was pushed off and on next to her, and she hid under the table.
She was rescued by a neighbour, supported by police officers, and taken to a hospital in Laranjeiras. The black eye and marks on her body show the impact of objects thrown at her. “I think I ran away for the love of God,” he sums up.
Teresa is staying with her daughter in Laranjeiras do Sul and has returned to Rio Bonito do Iguaçu to see her home again. What little remains will need to be demolished.
Mechanic Jose Neldo Nascimento reported that he was on the street returning home when the tornado hit the city. According to him, a tree fell very close and the trunk was slightly raised.
In order not to be carried away by the wind, he clung to the trunk, even though he was aware of the dangers. “It was dangerous (to stay attached), but that’s what I did at the time,” he says. The hurricane completely destroyed his house.
Welcome friends and relatives
Solidarity united the city’s residents. Merchant Adelita Moretti partially destroyed her home and took in her 94-year-old father-in-law, as well as her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who lost everything. His home was one of the first places to have electricity restored.
As a result, it began providing space for residents to charge cell phones, shower, and even eat.
The tornado destroyed two of her cars. “We have two destroyed cars, but that’s nothing,” he says. “God will do double duty.”
Retiree Clarita Aparecida Carvalho opened the doors of her home in Campo do Bugre, a community near the city, to welcome her brother and brother-in-law, who had become homeless. She says she can take in more people who need temporary shelter.
“We have a little, but what little we have, we share with others,” he says. His brother-in-law, Claudino Reyes, was one of the seven killed during the hurricane.
The town of Campo do Bugre was not hit with the same severity. A few houses had roofs. On Tuesday morning (11), retiree Albarina Dalmagro was at the house of her niece, Chris Diane Dahmer, where she took the furniture she had managed to salvage. “I have my stuff here, we don’t know what it will be used for,” he says.
The majority of the displaced are staying with relatives or friends in towns near Rio Bonito do Iguaçu.
Alex Sandro Moretti, owner of the funeral home in the city, was responsible for transporting four victims to the cemetery last Sunday (9). Although he is used to working, he says it was impossible to control his emotions.
“We have to try to maintain a professional attitude, but I admit it was very difficult. I couldn’t keep it together, and I ended up breaking down with my family, crying together, because it’s something we never expected to happen,” he says.
The hurricane in Parana left seven people dead. There was one victim in Rio Grande do Sul. Among the concerns of residents and authorities is the forecast for rain starting Wednesday (12), which may delay reconstruction work in the city.
According to Simepar (Paraná Environmental Monitoring and Technical System), the forecast indicates short-term, localized rainfall.
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