A severe storm swept through Guaíba, a city in southern Brazil, on Monday afternoon, bringing down a towering Statue of Liberty replica in dramatic fashion. Authorities have confirmed that, despite the destruction, no injuries were reported.
📍 A Monument Falls Amid Intense Winds
The replica, which stood at nearly 40 meters (about 114 feet) tall, had been installed in the parking lot of a Havan megastore, located near a fast-food outlet. As powerful winds lashed the region, the statue was seen swaying before finally collapsing — footage of the moment quickly spread across social media.
While the fall shattered the statue’s upper structure, including the head, company officials clarified that the 11-meter pedestal remained intact. The fallen upper section measured around 24 meters (78 feet).
🛑 Immediate Safety Response
Havan, the retail chain that owns the statue, confirmed that the structure had been in place since the store’s 2020 opening and had undergone full technical certification. After the collapse, the affected area was swiftly cordoned off to protect shoppers and staff. Cleanup crews were on-site within hours to clear debris.
Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata commended the prompt action taken by local teams and state Civil Defence units, who worked together to secure the site and assess nearby damage.
🌪️ Storm at Its Peak
The statue came down at approximately 3 PM, right as the storm reached its fiercest point. Meteorological reports recorded wind gusts exceeding 90 kmph, with some areas experiencing peaks near 100 kmph. Residents had earlier received mobile alerts about the incoming storm, warning of strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Despite the incident, the Havan store remained open in unaffected sections, though access to the area near the fallen statue remains closed off.
🌧️ Broader Regional Impact
The storm wasn’t limited to Guaíba. Several areas across Rio Grande do Sul experienced hailstorms, damaged roofs, downed trees, localized flooding, and temporary power outages. Meteorologists blamed the extreme conditions on a fast-moving cold front and advised that while weather is expected to ease in the coming days, occasional rain may still occur.A technical inspection will be carried out to determine the precise cause of the collapse and to rule out any structural or maintenance issues beyond the severe weather.
