Strong gusts force evacuation at Rio's Praia Vermelha, cause fatalities
Powerful winds swept Praia Vermelha Beach in Rio de Janeiro on July 29, sending umbrellas and chairs airborne and prompting beachgoers to flee.
On July 29, gusts reaching roughly 62 mph battered southeast Brazil, tearing equipment from the sand at Rio's Praia Vermelha. Video captured crowds scrambling for safety as the wind hurled umbrellas and chairs. The storm also caused structural collapses and falling trees, which have been linked to at least five deaths.
Why it matters
Severe weather can quickly become deadly, highlighting the need for public safety measures during extreme storms.
In this story
violent windsRio beach62 mph gustsumbrellas flyingfatalitiescollapsed structuresfalling treesevacuation