Heavy rainfall and flooding adversely impacted São Paulo this past Thursday afternoon, February 13, leading to emergency alerts and calls for public safety. The city found itself on high alert as the Civil Defense of São Paulo issued severe warnings highlighting the risk of flooding and landslides across numerous areas. This deluge not only affected the city but extended its reach to nearby municipalities, including Osasco, Guarulhos, and those within the regions of Campinas and Sorocaba, causing widespread disruption.
According to the Center for Emergency Management (CGE), severe instability was triggered by rising heat levels coupled with incoming maritime breezes. "These rains have the potential for flooding, gusting winds, and overflowing rivers and streams," the CGE stated, warning residents across the city to remain vigilant.
Reports emerged of significant rainfall totals amounting to 81 millimeters over just six hours, with areas particularly hard hit by flooding and fallen trees. Eyewitness accounts depicted scenes of vehicles stranded on flooded streets, with videos circulating showing cars floating helplessly, one captured dramatically bobbing on the flooded roads of Osasco. Emergency services reported handling 95 calls related to fallen trees and 17 incidents involving flooding during this intense weather period.
The local body responsible for electricity distribution, Enel, reported outages affecting over 104,000 addresses across the greater São Paulo area, compounding the chaos caused by the adverse weather conditions. Notably, one driver was rescued following his truck tumbling off the highway near the International Airport of Guarulhos, underscoring the risks faced by those traveling during the storm.
Authorities were on high alert as the rain progressed, with the CGE placing the city under a state of attention between 1:30 PM and 4:25 PM, where residents were cautioned to avoid certain roadways and seek safety away from electric wires and falling branches. The alarm for dangers such as flooding and hailstones was particularly pronounced for regions including the west, south, and central zones of São Paulo.
Regarding public safety measures, the Defensa Civil urged residents to refrain from driving through flooded streets and advised against taking unnecessary risks when weather conditions deteriorated. Proper steps were laid out for the populace, advising them to stay indoors, avoid electrical contact, and plan their travel around reported blockages and infrastructure state.
For the next few days, weather officials predict the continuation of summertime conditions, meaning periods of sun interspersed with isolated rain showers could persist. Friday, February 14, is expected to see more clouds and high temperatures ranging from 21°C to upwards of 31°C, potentially resulting again in late-day thunderstorms and local wind gusts.
Although forecasters indicated no significant rainfall was anticipated for the rest of the night, the weather's inherent instability prompted continuous monitoring of conditions. The CGE affirmed no major river flooding occurred within the city limits, even as significant rainfall metrics were noted.
The community's already precarious infrastructure was under vast scrutiny as it grappled with the immediate fallout of this natural phenomenon. With many residents left to navigate flooded streets and traverse the many hazardous areas resulting from fallen trees, concerns over systemic urban vulnerabilities remained high.
Conclusively, as São Paulo braces itself for what's anticipated to be continued warm weather conditions with afternoon rain potential, both city officials and residents remain alert and prepared, hoping for quick recovery from the ill effects of Thursday's sudden heavy rains. Keeping informed and attentive to updates from the CGE and local emergency services will be key to enhancing safety during these tumultuous weather periods.