Brasília, 3/29/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A controversial storm? Yes, that is what hit the coast of Brazil on Sunday. Controversial because on one seems to be able to say exactly what it was.

International news reports initially called it a "rare hurricane," but metereologist Laura Rodrigues, at the weather center in the state of Santa Catarina, where the storm made landfall (Centro de Meteorologia de Santa Catarina) (Epagri/Climerh), explained that what she called "extra-tropical cyclones" are common in the region. However, she admitted that Sunday's storm really did have unusual characteristics. "It looked liked a hurricane, but it is too early to say exactly what it was. Further studies will tell us whether it was one of our local cyclones or a hurricane."

The storm hit the coast between 3:00 am and 5:00 am on Sunday with winds of up to 130 kilometers an hour and an ocean surge of five meters. Preliminary reports are that there was property damage with roofs torn off homes, electricity lines down and at least two boats missing. (translator: Allen Bennett)