Severe weather has wreaked havoc across Grande Recife, leading local authorities to declare the entire region under maximum alert on the morning of February 5, 2025. Heavy rains, which began early Wednesday, have caused widespread disruptions, including landslides and the collapse of buildings.
According to the local government, the rainfall measured just under 149 mm at its peak over the last 24 hours, with the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) issuing warnings of excessive rain exceeding 60 mm/h. The alert status was communicated by the Recife city government through social media platforms as authorities urged residents to remain indoors.
The Mayor of Recife, João Campos, highlighted the city’s commitment to public safety: "Estamos com uma força tarefa ampla para restabelecer urgentemente a normalidade. Pedimos para que todos que puderem, fiquem em casa," he stated. The government has opened three emergency shelters across the city—Totó, Caçote, and Coqueiral—to accommodate those forced to evacuate their homes due to risks of flooding and landslides.
Reports reveal two significant landslides affecting areas such as the Mirueira neighborhood of Paulista and the Jordão area of Jaboatão, though no casualties have been reported so far. Distressing images circulating on social media show the destruction inflicted on various localities, including the complete collapse of a bakery in Jaboatão's Barra de Jangada.
Following the severity of the rains, the city's metro system has temporarily suspended operations along the Centro line, with all stations closed due to unsafe conditions. The Compania Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU) expressed its response to the rainfall, indicating plans to safely evacuate passengers from the affected trains.
Residents are reminded to contact local civil defense services for assistance, with various helplines listed: the Recife defense service number is 0800-081-3400. Additional numbers were provided for surrounding municipalities to enable timely support.
Outdoor activity is limited as the city has suspended all non-essential services and cultural events, including public school classes throughout the day. The Secretary of Education of Pernambuco announced via social media: "Os alunos e profissionais da educação que estão nas escolas, em segurança, podem permanecer até que sintam-se seguros para voltar para as suas residências." This directive ensures the safety of students and educators during the storm.
According to APAC (Agência Pernambucana de Águas e Clima), the most affected areas have included the Torreão and Bairro do Recife with recorded rainfalls of over 112 mm, signaling significant weather challenges throughout the urban areas.
The alert stresses the risk of additional weather-related hazards, advising residents, especially those living near hillsides or flood-prone areas, to take necessary precautions against possible evacuations. "A rotina da cidade foi impactada por chuvas extremas," city officials affirmed, underlining the collective efforts being implemented to mitigate the impact and save lives.
Moving forward, weather forecasts indicate potential relief, but residents are advised to remain vigilant as authorities continue to monitor conditions and assist those affected by flooding and structural damages. The resilience of communities will be tested as they face recovery efforts from this extreme weather event.