Portuguese 
Strong winds overnight on September 21, 2026, toppled at least three trucks at a logistics center in Nova Santa Rita, near BR-386 in southern Brazil. A couple of truck drivers from São Paulo was asleep in one of the five-axle trucks. No one was injured, and operations continued at the facility.
A strong wind hit a distribution and logistics center in Nova Santa Rita, part of the Porto Alegre metropolitan area, and upended at least three trucks. Inside one of them, a couple of truck drivers was sleeping when the wind began.
According to local news outlet g1 RS and RBS TV, the storm occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 21, 2026. In addition to the trucks, metal structures collapsed, glass shattered and parts of the complex, located near BR-386, were roofless.
Couple from São Paulo was sleeping in the truck waiting to continue their trip
Drivers Maria Dias and Juracy Soares, a married couple, had just arrived from São Paulo. They were waiting at the logistics center to continue their trip and spent the night inside the truck.
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Truck began to sway around 3 a.m.
According to the couple’s account, they both woke up around 3 a.m. with the truck swaying. Outside, they heard loud noises.
In a matter of seconds, the truck tipped over with both of them inside. Nevertheless, Maria and Juracy managed to get out without injuries.
“It was a moment of terror,” said the driver
video: G1
Maria Dias described the speed of the tipping. “In a matter of seconds, it was really quick. We sat up in bed and the truck turned over,” she recounted.
The driver said time felt like it was dragging. “Those seconds felt like minutes and hours. It was a moment of terror,” she stated.
Five-axle truck weighing about 20 tons tipped over
According to Juracy Soares, the couple’s truck has five axles and weighs about 20 tons. Even so, it could not withstand the force of the wind.
The driver noted that he only realized the extent of the damage when they were able to leave the vehicle. “When we stepped out and saw the mess outside, it was impressive. Seeing a truck overturned is quite something,” he said.
The force and speed of the wind caught drivers’ attention
The drivers reported that the intensity of the winds was impressive both for its strength and the speed with which the situation worsened.
The trucks were parked inside the logistics complex when they tipped over. At least three of them ended up on their sides in the center’s yard.
Metal structures collapsed and covered two vehicles
The wind knocked down several metal structures in different areas of the logistics center. Wires were scattered across the area.
Two vehicles were covered by parts of the collapsed structure. There were also broken windows and roof damage in several areas of the complex.
Employees left the damaged area safely
Some employees were in an area affected by the roof damage at the time of the storm. Everyone managed to leave the site safely.
Despite the destruction, there were no reports of injuries at the distribution center in Nova Santa Rita.
Firefighters were called twice during the night
The first response by the Fire Department at the site occurred around 3 a.m., the same time the couple woke up with the truck shaking.
About half an hour later, teams were called again to respond to other incidents within the logistics complex.
Distribution center continued operating despite damage
According to g1 RS and RBS TV, the distribution center continued operating even with overturned trucks, wires on the ground, and fallen structures.
The damage was spread across different areas of the complex, which is located near BR-386.
Heavy rain and wind have hit cities in RS since Sunday
The damage in Nova Santa Rita is part of a series of storms. Heavy rain and wind have affected various cities in Rio Grande do Sul since Sunday, September 20.
The strong winds during the early morning of Monday hit the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, causing roof damage, collapsed structures, and overturned vehicles.
Without official measurement, damage will indicate the type of phenomenon
There is no official measurement of wind speed in Nova Santa Rita. Therefore, the damage recorded at the logistics center will be assessed to identify the phenomenon that caused the damages.
Until this analysis, what is known is the aftermath on the ground: at least three overturned trucks, destroyed metal structures, broken glass, and no injuries.
