Powerful storm cuts power to 1.6 million people in Brazil’s largest city

SAO-PAULO – More than 1.6 million Sao Paulo residents were without power Saturday, more than 16 hours after a brief but powerful storm swept through South America’s largest city.

Sao Paulo state officials said record wind gusts Friday evening, reaching 68 mph, toppled transmission lines and uprooted trees. causing serious damage in certain areas. The storm also caused the closure of several airports and interrupted water service in several areas, according to the Sao Paulo state government.

Authorities initially hoped to restore power within a few hours. But several neighborhoods in the city, which is home to 21 million residents, were still in the dark on Saturday and authorities were urging residents to limit their water consumption.

One person died when a tree fell on an outdoor stand, authorities said. At least four other people also died in the neighboring state of Sao Paulo.