Deadly floods strike Juiz de Fora, Brazil, after record rainfall in Minas Gerais

Torrential rain floods cities in Minas Gerais

Severe flooding swept across southeastern Brazil after days of torrential rain, killing at least 25 people and leaving dozens missing in the state of Minas Gerais. The heaviest impacts centered on Juiz de Fora, Brazil and Ubá, Brazil, cities about 310 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Water surged through streets. Mud and sludge spread across neighborhoods. A river veered off its course, pushing through roads and homes. Floodwater rose quickly. Then it kept rising.

Local authorities reported that about 440 residents were forced to leave their homes. Schools were closed. Entire blocks were cut off by debris and water.

Landslides and collapsed homes

The rain destabilized hillsides and slopes across the region. At least 20 landslides were reported in and around Juiz de Fora. Some homes collapsed during the night as rain continued to fall.

Mayor Margarida Salomao said the city recorded double the average rainfall for February. Later reports said the province experienced its wettest February on record, with more than 180 millimeters of rain in four hours during the peak of the storm.

Mud poured into streets. Trees bent under the weight of water and debris. Entire yards turned into fields of brown slurry.

Search and rescue under dangerous conditions

Rescue teams moved through thick mud and broken structures in search of survivors. The Minas Gerais fire department reported 43 people missing. At least 108 firefighters were deployed to Juiz de Fora, with 28 sent to Uba. Disaster trained dogs worked alongside crews.

Firefighter Demetrius Bastos Goulart said rescue work would be slow. “It is a high volume of mud in the landslides, we have to work with a lot of precision to avoid any damage to potential victims," he said.

In the streets of Juiz de Fora, residents waited near the debris. “We have been here since last night to see if they survive underground," said Livia Rosa, a 44 year old seamstress. “Hope is the last thing to die."

Another rescue brought a moment of relief. “We found a boy this morning. He was inside a house, under the rubble. It took the team two hours of work," Major Demetrius Goulart said.

Emergency measures and federal response

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared a state of emergency and promised federal aid. He said security forces were assisting with rescues and providing immediate support to affected communities.

“Our focus is to ensure humanitarian assistance, the restoration of basic services, support for displaced people, and aid for reconstruction," the president said in a social media post.

Officials warned residents to stay away from areas prone to mudslides. Emergency teams continued to move door to door in flooded neighborhoods.

More rain forecast for the hilly region

Brazil meteorological officials warned that more rain is forecast for the coming days across Minas Gerais. The region lies near hills, valleys, and slopes, where saturated ground remains unstable.

Rescue efforts continued as rain clouds returned over the hills. Mud remained deep. Water still moved through low lying streets. The ground stayed fragile.