Tornado damage in Panama

PANAMA. More than 600 people were affected after a gale destroyed the ceilings and structures of 150 houses on Thursday afternoon.

Arturo Alvarado, the Civil Protection Authority’s (SINAPROC) director said what happened on Thursday was a tornado and not just strong winds.

Meteorologist Annette Quinn said the storm followed a lineal direction, causing houses to lose rooftops on one side and not the other.

The Housing Ministry, Carlos Dubois toured the affected areas, and the iirector of e Sinaproc, A said that the Office of the First Lady is being coordinated with the Presidency to offer aid to stricken families. Falling trees damaged cars electricity cables and phone lines.