Juiz de Fora is grappling with widespread disruption Tuesday evening as heavy rainfall triggers landslides and flooding across the city. The Civil Defense of Juiz de Fora reported that the accumulated rainfall in the central region exceeded 90 millimeters in the last three hours, with the Centro district receiving 90.3 mm, Nossa Senhora de Lourdes 79.5 mm, Santa Rita 79 mm, and the Distrito Industrial 75.1 mm. The intense weather has prompted a severe alert from city officials, warning of a high risk of further flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas.
The situation began escalating Monday night, with reports of flooded streets and landslides emerging from various neighborhoods. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) forecasts that the heavy rains will continue through Friday, February 27th, compounding concerns for residents and emergency responders. The Civil Defense issued the grave alert around 10 PM Monday, urging caution and preparedness.
Several key roadways are currently impassable due to the severe weather. According to the Prefeitura de Juiz de Fora (PJF), the ascent of Serra dos Bandeirantes in the Northeast region is completely closed due to a landslide. Access from the underpass in the central area and the Ponte Vermelha bridge in Santa Terezinha, as well in the Northeast, are also blocked. Traffic has been rerouted, with a temporary reversal of flow on Avenida Brasil at Ruy Barbosa, creating a two-way flow on the Ponte de Santa Terezinha.
Further complicating travel, a landslide has blocked Garganta Dilermando, rendering it inaccessible to both vehicles and pedestrians. A significant crater has opened on Rua Sabino Francisco de Barros in the Bandeirantes neighborhood, also obstructing passage.
Impact Across Juiz de Fora
The northern part of the city is also experiencing significant challenges. The streets of Olavo Bilac and Rua Bernardo Mascarenhas are closed due to a fallen tree, and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes. The intersection of Garcia Rodrigues Paes and Lúcio Bittencourt streets in the Industrial neighborhood is completely flooded. The PJF has issued a stark warning: “The situation is critical. All people in the area should seek safe locations.”
Emergency crews are responding to a collapse with possible entrapment on Rua Nicoloau Capelli in the Cerâmica neighborhood. The possibility of victims is currently under assessment.
In the Southeast and East regions, multiple points of flooding have been reported. Streets Regina Gabriela dos Santos and João Pires de Almeida are inundated, as are Rua Luiz Fávero and streets Diva Garcia and Rua Itália in the Linhares neighborhood. A large-scale landslide in the Linhares area, impacting a local field, has been documented on social media.
A house collapsed on Rua Francisco Gonçalo de Faria in the JK neighborhood. Demlurb crews are providing support, and the Corpo de Bombeiros (fire department) will handle the response.
The Civil Defense of Juiz de Fora can be reached at (32) 3690-7247 for emergency assistance. Residents can also receive alerts by sending an SMS message to 40199. The city continues to monitor the situation closely, and updates will be provided as they become available. Residents are urged to stay informed and exercise extreme caution.
As the region braces for continued rainfall through Friday, authorities are focused on maintaining emergency response capabilities and assessing the full extent of the damage. The next official update from the Civil Defense is expected Wednesday morning, providing a more comprehensive overview of affected areas and ongoing relief efforts.
Share this information with those in Juiz de Fora, and let us know in the comments if you are affected by the storms.
