A historic ocean receding caused by strong northerly winds occurred in several coastal cities of Uruguay and Brazil on August 11 and 12, 2017. In Punta del Este, Uruguay, the ocean receded more than 10 meters (32.8 feet) in about 15 minutes on August 11, leaving yachts, fishing boats and sea lions stranded. Meteorologists said the phenomenon was caused by strong winds coming from the north. However, due to its severity, many people thought it was a sign of a tsunami. Earlier
in the day, Uruguayan Meteorological Institute (INUMET) issued orange wind warnings for the departments of Montevideo, Canelones, Maldonado, Rocha and Lavalleja. The same phenomenon occurred along country’s southern and southeastern coasts on August 8 and in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, especially in capital Porto Alegre and Tramandai, on Saturday, August 12. READ MORE
