Girl, 3, safe after tornado destroys Rio Grande do Sul home

A three-year-old girl narrowly escaped injury when a tornado destroyed her home in Giruá, Rio Grande do Sul, on Tuesday evening, September 28. Hours before the destructive event, her grandfather, Neide Amaral, had picked her up for a visit at his home, located about 10 kilometers away in an unaffected area. The girl's parents, Gilço and Dieli Amaral, were at the residence when the tornado struck. Dieli Amaral, though visibly shaken, stated that the tornado's impact lasted mere seconds, reducing their property to nothing. She was hit by debris but fortunately sustained no injuries. Her grandfather, Neide Amaral, who is also Dieli's father, arrived at the scene to assist in rescue efforts. He described the aftermath as desperate, with neighbors helping to search for those trapped under rubble. Gilço Amaral was among the last to be extricated, having been able to call for help using his phone while buried. The tornado also caused significant damage in the municipalities of Sete de Setembro and Senador Salgado Filho, resulting in seven injuries across the region. In Senador Salgado Filho, one house was destroyed, 15 damaged, and 60 people were affected. Sete de Setembro reported two houses destroyed and 15 damaged, affecting 60 people and injuring two. Giruá saw three houses hit and 12 residents affected. The storm, identified by radar from over 200 kilometers away, was attributed to a supercell thunderstorm, a phenomenon known for producing intense winds and sometimes tornadoes.