Widespread flooding, 180 000 without power as severe storm hits São Paulo, Brazil

A severe storm hit São Paulo on Friday, January 24, 202, causing widespread flooding, power outages affecting 180 000 residents, and damage to multiple structures across the city.

A severe storm struck the city of São Paulo at approximately 15:30 local time (LT) on Friday, January 24, causing severe flooding across the region and destroying several structures.

The highest rainfall was recorded in the East Zone’s Mooca neighborhood with 94.3 mm (3.71 inches), followed by Limão with 74.6 mm (2.94 inches), and Luz, which recorded 73.2 mm (2.88 inches).

Cotia recorded the highest rainfall in the Greater São Paulo region with 43.3 mm (1.70 inches), followed by Carapicuíba with 42.6 mm (1.68 inches), and Osasco with 42 mm (1.65 inches).

The storm brought strong winds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in São Paulo, according to the Centro Nacional de Monitoramento e Alertas de Desastres Naturais (Cemaden) and the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (Inmet).

The Civil Defense issued a warning for strong winds and flooding risks, which was sent to residents’ cell phones in the affected region. “The objective is for the population to protect themselves during this storm, which is estimated to last between 30 minutes and 1 hour,” the Civil Defense stated.

Nearly 180 000 people were left without power after only an hour and a half of rain. The storm occurred during the same week the city recorded its hottest day of the year. On Tuesday, January 21, temperatures in the capital reached 34.5 °C (94.1 °F).

Flooding quickly disrupted operations on Line 1-Azul of the subway, with records of flooding at Jardim São Paulo station, and Line 7-Rubi of CPTM.

Several areas of the city, including Beco do Batman and the Pompéia region in the West Zone, as well as neighborhoods such as Santana and Tucuruvi in the North Zone, experienced streets submerged under water.

The northern part of the city was the most affected by the floods. Videos circulating on social media showed several avenues in the region underwater, with cars floating. The roof of Shopping Center Norte collapsed.

On Rua Alfredo Pujol, in the Santana neighborhood, the Fire Department reported the collapse of a house. There were no reports of casualties.

References:

¹ Storm in SP floods streets, subway station and collapses shopping mall roof – Metropoles – January 24, 2025

² Tempestade em São Paulo: veja os lugares mais afetados – CNN – January 24, 2025