Severe weather conditions have gripped São Paulo, with intense rainfall causing widespread flooding and disruptions across the city late on January 31, 2025. The volume of rain was alarming, with the Centro de Gerenciamento de Emergências (CGE) reporting accumulations exceeding 50 mm within short time frames, leading to severe flooding and disruptions across the metropolitan area.
By the end of the evening, the CGE had placed the entire city on alert due to the influx of stormwater, particularly focused on the eastern neighborhood of Vila Prudente, which was classified as being under the highest level of caution. The emergency center noted there were ten active flood spots throughout the city, all of which were impassable.
From the morning until 10 PM, emergency services received 40 calls reporting fallen trees, four related to structural collapses, and four for flooding incidents across the capital and surrounding areas. With rainfall continuing steadily, authorities anticipated these numbers would increase.
Alongside the city alerts, the Defesa Civil warned residents of Guarujá about imminent land sliding risks due to the continuous downpour. The Santa Cruz dos Navegantes road was obstructed by landslides, disrupting traffic and posing safety risks. Recent statistics from the Centro Nacional de Monitoramento de Desastres (Cemaden) reflected alarming rainfall totals, with 124 mm recorded at Jardim Paulistano, 115 mm at Diadema, and other southeastern cities experiencing flooded conditions as well.
The urgency around these storms prompted the CGE to continuously update residents via digital alerts, advising them to avoid travel in flooded areas and to seek safe shelter. By 11:24 PM, fire services announced 44 calls had been initiated for fallen trees, 16 reports of flooding, and additional notifications for structural failures. Consequently, the storm’s relentless presence kept São Paulo's residents on high alert.
Weather forecasts suggest the region will experience continued instability over the weekend, characterized by muggy mornings and the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms. With saturated soil conditions, heightened risks for additional flooding, tree falls, and landslides remain ripe, especially with expected intermittent heavy rains.
The CGE provided detailed guidance for residents, urging them to keep off flooded roads and to be vigilant about the dangers associated with power lines and tree branches. Those affected were also prompted to notify authorities through dedicated hotlines for traffic and emergency assistance.
While the storms brought chaos to urban life, the potential for hazardous conditions was compounded by recent meteorological history, including heavy rain incidents just the week prior, which set historical records for rainfall volumes over the last 64 years. Last week’s storms recorded 125.4 mm of rain—with incidences of lightning strikes reaching unprecedented numbers.
On January 31, as flooding upended daily routines, emergency services had no immediate reports of casualties, though incidents of people trying to wade through high waters raised serious concerns. There were stark reminders of dangers from the prior week's flooding, which fatally impacted residents.
Officials confirmed repeated storm patterns signal the necessity for vigilance over pending weather conditions. The pace of the storms raises alarming questions about urban planning, disaster preparedness, and long-term solutions to manage flooding risks.
With municipalities across the coastal and interior regions of São Paulo facing similarly severe rains, the broader community remains at stake, and additional precautions are expected from both municipal and state agencies as they strive to mitigate risks posed by future storm activity.
Forecasts for the days following January 31 predict continued rain patterns, with temperatures hovering between 19°C and 26°C. Authorities called for preparedness and cooperative efforts among residents as São Paulo braces for what appears to be another unpredictable weekend of severe weather.