Severe storms wreaked havoc across the Baixada Santista region and the metropolitan area of São Paulo on Saturday, April 19, 2025, leading to widespread flooding and prompting emergency responses from local authorities.
The Civil Defense issued a Severe Alert for heavy rains, warning residents of potential flooding and landslides. The unexpected intensity of the rainfall surprised experts, who had predicted only moderate to light showers for the day. In Santos, reports indicated flooding in several streets, including Rua Carlos Afonseca, Pasteur, and Paraguai. On Floriano Peixoto, drains became overwhelmed, causing water to gush back into the streets.
Many businesses were forced to close due to water inundation, particularly along Rua Gastronômica Tolentino Filgueiras, where the deluge led to temporary suspensions of delivery services. Galeão Carvalhal transformed into a river, raising concerns among residents due to a previous incident where a crater opened near a construction site after heavy rains.
In addition to Santos, neighborhoods in Zona Noroeste and the Morros also experienced significant flooding. Areas such as São Vicente, Praia Grande, and Guarujá reported multiple streets submerged. Despite the adverse conditions, ferries operating between Santos and Guarujá continued to run, with a waiting time of about 15 minutes in both directions.
Looking ahead to Easter Sunday, the forecast indicated overcast skies with moderate showers expected in the early morning, tapering off to lighter rain throughout the day.
In Guarujá, the situation escalated further when the Civil Defense activated warning sirens for the Barreira do João Guarda hill area, advising residents to evacuate. Those living in high-risk zones were directed to seek shelter at the Municipal School Sérgio Pereira. The alert was a precautionary measure amid the ongoing heavy rains that had already caused flooding and disruptions in the ABC Paulista region since the afternoon.
Reports from Diadema indicated that over 84 millimeters of rain fell in just two hours, equivalent to nearly a month’s worth of precipitation. This led to the overflow of the Ribeirão Capela stream and significant flooding on major avenues, including São José, where water invaded a pharmacy and swept away parked motorcycles. Santo André also faced heavy rainfall, recording 79 millimeters, which is 22 days' worth of rain in a single day.
The flooding extended to other cities in the ABC region, with São Caetano do Sul experiencing flooded roads and São Bernardo do Campo’s Pauliceia neighborhood also affected. In Mauá, landslides were reported behind educational institutions and residences, although no injuries were recorded.
As the storm continued, the Fire Department responded to at least 68 calls concerning collapses or landslides throughout the Greater ABC area. By the evening, the Civil Defense confirmed plans to distribute 1,150 humanitarian aid items to affected residents, including mattresses, food baskets, blankets, and hygiene kits.
In São Paulo's metropolitan area, the Civil Defense maintained a state of attention due to the threat of flooding. The CGE (Center for Climate Emergency Management) reported that neighborhoods in the south and east zones experienced the most intense rainfall, with the radar indicating strong precipitation moving swiftly from the interior towards the eastern regions of the state.
In Campo Limpo Paulista, a wall collapsed, blocking a street in the Botujuru neighborhood. The heavy rainfall also caused disruption to train services on the line 7-rubi, halting operations between Campo Limpo Paulista and Botujuru due to flooded tracks. Buses were deployed to assist stranded passengers during the service interruption.
As the storm continued to develop, the Civil Defense issued severe alerts for various regions, including ABC, Alto Tietê, and coastal areas. The forecast predicted that the rain would intensify, particularly in the Paraíba Valley and the northern coast, with significant accumulations expected.
In Santa Catarina, the aftermath of a cold front resulted in destructive weather, including hailstorms that damaged crops and buildings in cities like São Joaquim and Anita Garibaldi. A micro-explosion in Chapecó, with winds reaching 90 km/h, caused further destruction but fortunately did not result in injuries.
The situation remains dynamic as authorities continue to monitor conditions and provide assistance to those affected by the severe weather. Residents are urged to stay informed and heed warnings from the Civil Defense as the storm system progresses.
