Avaliação de danos de tornados ocorridos no estado do Paraná utilizando a Escala Fujita Melhorada

Abstract

Tornadoes represent extremely destructive meteorological phenomena that develop under conditions of high atmospheric instability. In southern Brazil, these events are frequently associated with intense convective systems. Although the literature documents tornadic occurrences in the region, their systematic classification remains incipient, resulting in underestimation of both their frequency and intensity. This scenario makes the adoption of standardized parameters such as the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) imperative for proper categorization. The methodology of this study drew upon the work of Almeida et al. (2023) to examine six severe events occurring in the state of Paraná. Damage assessment was conducted through analysis of photographic and video records obtained from diverse sources, including social media and news websites, collected whenever possible immediately after the occurrences. These records were cross-referenced with the EF Damage Indicators, with particular attention to the Degree of Damage (DoD), enabling precise event classification. The results demonstrated significant variation in wind intensity associated with observed damage. Particularly noteworthy was an EF4 tornado in Nova Laranjeiras municipality (1997), with Damage Indicator (DI) 2 and DoD 8. EF3 events were recorded in Cascavel (2023), Francisco Beltrão (2015), and Marechal Cândido Rondon (2015), affecting both urban and rural areas. In Ponta Grossa, two distinct events were identified: an EF2 in 2015 impacting residential areas, and an EF1 in 2024 causing damage in both rural and urban zones. Comparative analysis of damage imagery against EF parameters not only confirmed the tornadic nature of these events but also precisely established the involved wind intensities. These findings have immediate practical relevance, providing valuable support for organizations such as Civil Defense and Fire Departments in recording and documenting future events. However, the results also highlight the crucial need to develop Damage Indicators specific to the Brazilian context, considering particularities of national construction systems. Such advances would enable more accurate assessments of building vulnerability and the proposal of more appropriate construction techniques. Furthermore, the obtained data establishes a foundation for formulating effective public policies for disaster management and enhancing infrastructure and community resilience against extreme events.