RED ALERT ISSUED FOR CURRENT STORMS

On 1 July 2009 the federal meteorological agency issued a national red alert due to a strong storm system. The worst of the storms have hit Punta del Este, an important resort city located on Uruguay's Atlantic coast, where strong winds have caused power losses as well as significant material damage to homes and maritime vessels. The departments of Maldonado, where Punta del Este is situated, and Rocha have been hit the hardest by the inclement weather; however, the storms have also affected Montevideo, Colonia, San Jose, Florida and Lavalleja, bringing wind gusts of between 50 mph/43 kt and 75 mph/65 kt.