Severe Storm Brings Flooding and Power Outages to São Paulo, Brazil

A devastating storm swept through São Paulo on Friday, January 24, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Torrential rains caused widespread flooding, power outages affecting 180,000 residents, and significant damage to infrastructure across the city.

The storm hit at around 3:30 PM local time, with the heaviest rainfall recorded in the Mooca neighborhood, which saw 94.3 mm (3.71 inches) of rain. Other hard-hit areas included Limão with 74.6 mm (2.94 inches) and Luz with 73.2 mm (2.88 inches). In Greater São Paulo, Cotia experienced the highest rainfall at 43.3 mm (1.70 inches), followed closely by Carapicuíba and Osasco.

Severe #flooding hits metro station in #Brazil #AletihadNewsCenter #saopaulo #flood #rain #weather pic.twitter.com/zU8aSf1KXq

— Aletihad English (@AletihadEn) January 25, 2025

🇧🇷 BRAZIL : Severe flooding hits Brazil

Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency, CNN reports.

For more .. visit https://t.co/8SHwmy9mgU#Brazil #flood pic.twitter.com/dCYk9yuHaB

— AC News (@ACNewsMedia) January 25, 2025

Accompanied by winds reaching 60 km/h (37 mph), the storm wreaked havoc across the region. The Civil Defense issued alerts warning residents of strong winds and potential flooding, advising them to take precautions as the storm was expected to last up to an hour.

Power Outages and Disruptions
In just 90 minutes of rainfall, nearly 180,000 residents were left without electricity. The storm struck during a week of extreme heat, with São Paulo recording its hottest day of the year on Tuesday, January 21, at 34.5°C (94.1°F).

Flooding also disrupted public transport, with operations on Line 1-Azul of the subway and Line 7-Rubi of the CPTM severely impacted.

Damage Across the City
Northern São Paulo bore the brunt of the flooding. Viral videos on social media showed streets submerged, cars floating, and significant structural damage, including the collapse of the roof at Shopping Center Norte.

In the Santana neighborhood, the Fire Department reported a house collapse on Rua Alfredo Pujol. Thankfully, no casualties were reported.

The West Zone, including Beco do Batman and the Pompéia region, also experienced severe flooding, with roads rendered impassable.

This storm serves as a stark reminder of São Paulo's vulnerability to extreme weather events, as the city grapples with challenges posed by climate change and urban infrastructure.

Stay tuned for updates on recovery efforts and safety advisories.