Watch shocking moment 115ft Statue of Liberty replica topples during storm

A powerful storm toppled a 115-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty outside a Havan megastore in southern Brazil on Monday, December 15.

As the storm raged through the area, wind gusts reached 50 to 56 miles per hour, according to local authorities.

Why It Matters

The dramatic collapse highlights the dangers posed by increasingly volatile weather in southern Brazil, where extreme heat followed by cold fronts has triggered severe storms, hail and strong winds.

The rainfall recorded is equivalent to three times the average for this time of year, according to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET).

The incident also drew widespread attention online after multiple videos showed the replica slowly leaning forward before crashing into an empty parking lot. Only the upper 79-foot section fell in the storm, while the 36-foot pedestal remained intact.

What To Know

The statue stood outside a Havan megastore in Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul state. The statue has been in place since the store opened in 2020. In 2024, it suffered damage when heavy rains, flooding and mudslides ravaged the southern Rio Grande do Sul state.

Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata confirmed the collapse of the statue on social media, saying wind speeds reached between 50 and 56 miles per hour as the storm moved through the metropolitan region.

“Since the first moment, we’ve been on the streets following the situation closely,” Maranata wrote. “The Defesa Civil and the Secretary of Infrastructure are fully mobilized, attending to events and ensuring the safety of the population.”

In recent days, Rio Grande do Sul and Defesa Civil have issued a cell broadcast warning to phones about potentially dangerous weather conditions.

INMET still has a heavy rain warning in place until December 17, warning of a risk of power outages, falling tree branches, flooding and lightning strikes.

What People Are Saying

Guaíba Mayor Marcelo Maranata said in a Facebook post on December 15: “On Monday afternoon, our city was hit by strong wind gusts that reached 80—90 km/h. The Defesa Civil and the Secretary of Infrastructure are fully mobilized, attending to events and ensuring the safety of the population.”

Defesa Civil said in a Facebook post on December 15: “If you’re driving, reduce speed, keep a safe distance and avoid flooded areas. Do not cross streets with swamps or floods—the force of the water can sweep people and vehicles away. In case of an emergency, call 193 (Fire Department) or 199 (Defesa Civil).”

What Happens Next

While no injuries were reported in the statue collapse, authorities said other storm-related incidents across the region caused injuries and damage, including roof collapses, fallen trees and power outages.

INMET predicts that weather will improve in the coming days as damage is assessed.