Civil Defense warns of heavy rain with risk of hail and winds in SP until Tuesday

The Civil Defense of the State of São Paulo issued an alert for the occurrence of persistent rain between this Monday, 2nd, and Tuesday, 3rd, with the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusts of wind and hail in isolated points. The warning came after heavy rains that caused flooding in several neighborhoods in the capital and the metropolitan region of São Paulo this Sunday, the 1st.

According to the agency, the instability is caused by the action of a meteorological system close to the territory of São Paulo. The forecast indicates that the highest volumes of rain should be concentrated on Tuesday, especially in the western part of the state, in areas close to the border with Paraná.

Meteorological models indicate different levels of risk depending on the region. The degree is considered very high in Vale do Ribeira and the Itapeva region; high in the regions of Sorocaba and Bauru; and medium in the capital and the metropolitan region of São Paulo, in addition to Baixada Santista, the North Coast, Serra da Mantiqueira and areas of Campinas, Presidente Prudente, Marília, Araraquara, São José do Rio Preto, Araçatuba, Ribeirão Preto, Barretos and Franca.

Given the scenario, the State Civil Defense Emergency Management Center will maintain 24-hour duty during the period of instability. The Crisis Office will initially operate remotely, with concessionaires mobilized, and may migrate to face-to-face service in the event of worsening conditions.

Flooded roads and residents without electricity

On Sunday, the capital of São Paulo remained on alert for flooding for almost four hours, according to the Climate Emergency Management Center of the City of São Paulo (CGE). The north and east zones recorded the most critical situation, with the alert extended until 5 pm.

The rain resulted in at least 22 points of flooding, according to the CGE. Avenida Jules Rimet, close to the Morumbis stadium region, in the south zone, was impassable for more than three hours.

The Córrego Morro do S, in the same region, threatened to overflow on Avenida Carlos Caldeira Filho, on the corner of Rua Joaquim Nunes Teixeira, for much of the afternoon. An elderly couple died at the scene after heavy rain hit the capital on January 16. According to the Fire Department, the victims’ car was taken away by the flood.

The rain also affected the electricity supply. According to Enel, around 74,000 people lost power around 6pm on Sunday. This Monday morning, the number dropped to 10,000 affected customers.

According to the Fire Department, 26 calls for falling trees were recorded between 1pm and 3:20pm. The corporation was also called five times for floods and three times for landslides in the capital and metropolitan region.

In Itapecerica da Serra, the Régis Bittencourt Highway recorded yet another flood that blocked traffic in the region. Arteris, the concessionaire responsible for the stretch, reported that the blockage occurred at kilometer 286, towards São Paulo. The section was closed at around 2:02 pm and reopened at 7:42 pm.

Civil Defense advises the population to avoid flooded areas, not cross flooded roads and seek shelter during storms, in addition to staying away from trees, poles and metal structures. In hillside regions, the agency recommends paying attention to signs of landslides. In emergencies, contact must be made by calling 199, for Civil Defense, or 193, for the Fire Department.

Deaths in the State

According to the latest report from the State’s Civil Defense, São Paulo has already recorded 14 deaths as a result of the rains since the beginning of Operation Chuvas, in December last year.

See below all the victims of the rains in the State of São Paulo:

1. A man died on December 12th as a result of a landslide in Campos do Jordão;
2. A woman died on December 12 after a wall collapsed, in the east zone of São Paulo;
3. A woman died on December 12 after a tree fell in Guarulhos;
4. A man died on December 13th as a result of an electrical shock, in Juquitiba;
5. A man died on December 14 after being swept away by a river in Bauru;
6. A man died on December 16 after a wall collapsed in Ilhabela;
7. A man died on December 16 after being swept away by a current in Ilhabela.
8. A man was found dead on December 19 in the Tietê River after a flood, in Guarulhos;
9. A man died on December 29 after a wall collapsed in Franca;
10. A woman died on January 14 after a tree fell on her car, in Taubaté;
11. A man died on January 29 after being swept away by a flood in Piracicaba.
12. 11 and 12. A woman and a man died on January 16 after their car was swept away by a flood in São Paulo;
13. A man died on January 25 after being swept away by rainwater in São Paulo;