Salto residents devastated by storm recount harrowing experience

Residents of Salto, Uruguay, are grappling with the aftermath of a severe storm that struck early Saturday, July 18th. Winds clocked at over 130 kilometers per hour, far exceeding the predicted 60 km/h, tore through the region, leaving a trail of destruction.

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We lost 25 years of work in just 20 minutes.

The storm's impact was devastating for the local community. More than 250 houses sustained damage, and around 300 horticultural producers reported significant losses. Many described the event as losing "25 years of work in just 20 minutes." The wind ripped off roofs, demolished walls, and toppled power lines, while flying debris inundated streets.

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I have never seen anything like it; we have had several storms, I remember February 5 (this year), which was strong and knocked down two of our greenhouses, but now it knocked down all 10 we had and destroyed several crops. Now I really don't know what to do, where to turn.

One tragic incident involved a 49-year-old woman who was killed when a metal structure struck her head while she was riding her motorcycle home. For producers like Sergio Suárez, who cultivates spinach, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers, the storm destroyed all 10 of his greenhouses, wiping out his year's harvest and livelihood.

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Saturday marked the end of the year for us. We have already lost this year.

"This year is lost for us," Suárez lamented, surveying the mud-covered fields. The community is now focused on rebuilding and awaits promised aid from President Yamandú Orsi, who has urged for "de-bureaucratized" assistance to help those affected recover from the disaster.

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I was sleeping with my wife when I felt the strong wind and got up to turn off the main switch. Before I could, I saw the roof fall on me and hit my back. Luckily, it didn't hit me squarely and it didn't hurt much. I picked up my wife and we got into the car outside, while the storm took the entire roof off.