‘Statue of Liberty’ toppled after crazy winds strike city | World | News
The 24-meter replica of the Statue of Liberty fell to the ground due to the strong wind. The replica was left to rest on its top after winds of up to 90 km per hour blew the giant statue into the air in Brazil on Monday.
Images shared on social media showed the statue swaying back and forth as strong winds blew in Guaíba, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, on December 15. The entire base section eventually crashed into the parking lot below as the vehicles moved away, but a white car remained parked dangerously close to the base.
Officials confirmed no injuries were reported, and company officials said the 11-foot concrete base remained intact.
It is estimated that strong winds will be between 80-90 kilometers per hour in the region on Monday. Local civil defense agencies issued a red weather warning due to strong winds and advised residents to stay indoors, secure property and avoid open areas.
Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata praised the quick security response by store staff and emergency crews.
Havan officials confirmed that an investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the structure’s failure. It was stated that it complied with technical and engineering standards when it was established in 2020.
The severe storm caused hail, roof damage, downed trees and localized flooding in some parts of the state, according to local reports. Teams started to remove debris.
Some users on X mistakenly thought the original statue in New York had been toppled, causing confusion on social media. One user shared: “As a New Yorker, this was SO MUCH TO WATCH.”
The UK also experiences extreme weather; The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for “very strong and destructive winds” during Storm Bram last week.
Winds were forecast to blow at 70 to 80 mph for several hours, with the potential to reach 90 mph in some areas. Traffic Scotland states that wind speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour are considered dangerous for drivers.
