During the 2023 Brazilian Carnival holiday weekend, record-breaking rainfall—reaching 682 mm (26.9 in) in 24 hours—caused deadly floods and landslides across the state of São Paulo. At least 48 people were killed, of which 45 were in São Sebastião.[1]
The affected regions of São Paulo are located in coastal communities surrounded by mountains.[2] On 18–19 February 2023, an area of low pressure off the coast of Brazil brought moist onshore flow, leading to significant rainfall in the region. The mountains of São Paulo served to enhance the rainfall through orographic lift.[3] A total of 682 mm (26.9 in) fell in just 24 hours in Bertioga just outside of São Sebastião. The city itself observed 626 mm (24.6 in) in the same time period. Other significant totals include 395 mm (15.6 in) in Guarujá, 337 mm (13.3 in) in Ilhabela, and 335 mm (13.2 in) in Ubatuba.[4][5] The rainfall in Bertioga was the greatest such total in a 24-hour span on record in the country. This far exceeded the previous record of 530 mm (21 in) on 15 February 2022 which caused deadly floods in Petrópolis.[5] Meteorologists at MetSul Meteorologia suggested this could be among the highest non-tropical cyclone rainfall totals in the world.[3]
Further rains on 21 February exacerbated conditions.[6] The local meteorological agency warned of further rains on 22 and 23 February.[7]
Impact
The prolific rains triggered a cascade of landslides and mudslides across São Paulo, with the city of São Sebastião being especially hard-hit. As of 21 February, authorities confirmed 44 fatalities, with 43 of those in São Sebastião, and the other in Ubatuba.[6][8] A further 23 people suffered injuries, 6 seriously,[7] and dozens of people remain missing. At least 50 homes were destroyed in São Sebastião.[9] At least 2,496 people were displaced or left homeless.[5] The Rio-Santos highway, the main road in the region connecting it to Rio de Janeiro state,[2] suffered extensive damage, with numerous landslides covering or destroying stretches of the road.[10] Another road connecting Santos with Bertioga was blocked off.[2]
Landslides from the rainfall on 21 February impacted Juqueí, displacing 80 people.[6]
Wind exceeding 55 km/h (34 mph) and waves of more than 1 m (3.3 ft) prompted the closure of the Port of Santos on 18 February.[8]
Response
Lula and Tarcísio de Freitas during the visit to the affected areas
Local emergency management agencies immediately dispatched more than 100 firefighters for search and rescue operations.[8] By 21 February, more than 600 personnel from the Government of the State of São Paulo, the Brazilian Army, the Federal Police, the municipal government of São Sebastião, and volunteers were on the ground searching for survivors.[5] A two-year-old and a mother in the middle of giving birth were rescued from what they called "a sea of mud".[8] By 21 February, 7.5 tons of relief goods were distributed in São Paulo.[2]
GovernorTarcísio de Freitas declared a state of emergency for five cities on 20 February.[8] A 180-day "state of calamity" was subsequently declared for São Paulo.[11] That day, Brazilian PresidentLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva toured the affected areas and stated that São Sebastião would be rebuilt in safer areas. He advised those living on the hillsides to move to other locations.[6][2] The Brazilian Navy planned to establish a field hospital with 300 beds on 23 February.[2]
^"Death toll from Brazil downpours rises to 46; more rain forecast". Reuters. 21 February 2023. from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
^ abcdefPollastri, Tatiana; Hughes, Eléonore (21 February 2023). "Brazil deluge toll hits 44 as search continues for missing". Stars and Stripes. from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^ abNachtigall, Luiz F. (19 February 2023). "Chuva de quase 700 mm inunda Litoral de São Paulo e vai sequir" (in Portuguese). MetSul Meteorologia. from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^Davies, Richard (20 February 2023). "Brazil – 680mm of Rain in 24 Hours Triggers Floods and Landslides in São Paulo, Dozens Killed". Flood List. from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^ abcdDavies, Richard (21 February 2023). "Brazil – Death Toll Rises in Sao Paulo Floods and Landslides". Flood List. from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^ abcde"Death toll from flooding in Brazil rises to 44". Al Jazeera. 21 February 2023. from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^ ab"Brazil – Floods and landslides, update (Government of Sao Paulo, INMET, CEMADEN) (ECHO Daily Flash of 21 February 2023)". European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023 – via ReliefWeb.
^ abcde"Floods, landslides kill dozens in Brazil's Sao Paulo state". Al Jazeera. 20 February 2023. from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^"Brazil – Floods and landslides (INMET, CEMADEN, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 20 February 2023)". European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023 – via ReliefWeb.
^"Death toll from flooding in Brazil rises, Lula visits disaster-hit region". France24. 21 February 2023. from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
^"Deadly rains and landslides batter Brazil's São Paulo during carnival festivities". CNN. 21 February 2023. from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
External links
Media related to Floods and landslides on the North Coast of São Paulo in 2023 at Wikimedia Commons
February 23, 2023
2023, são, paulo, floods, landslides, during, 2023, brazilian, carnival, holiday, weekend, record, breaking, rainfall, reaching, hours, caused, deadly, floods, landslides, across, state, são, paulo, least, people, were, killed, which, were, são, sebastião, lan. During the 2023 Brazilian Carnival holiday weekend record breaking rainfall reaching 682 mm 26 9 in in 24 hours caused deadly floods and landslides across the state of Sao Paulo At least 48 people were killed of which 45 were in Sao Sebastiao 1 2023 Sao Paulo floods and landslidesA landslide along SP 55 near UbatubaDate18 February 2023 ongoingLocationSao Paulo BrazilCauseHeavy rainsDeaths48 confirmed 57 missing Contents 1 Background 2 Impact 3 Response 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksBackground EditThe affected regions of Sao Paulo are located in coastal communities surrounded by mountains 2 On 18 19 February 2023 an area of low pressure off the coast of Brazil brought moist onshore flow leading to significant rainfall in the region The mountains of Sao Paulo served to enhance the rainfall through orographic lift 3 A total of 682 mm 26 9 in fell in just 24 hours in Bertioga just outside of Sao Sebastiao The city itself observed 626 mm 24 6 in in the same time period Other significant totals include 395 mm 15 6 in in Guaruja 337 mm 13 3 in in Ilhabela and 335 mm 13 2 in in Ubatuba 4 5 The rainfall in Bertioga was the greatest such total in a 24 hour span on record in the country This far exceeded the previous record of 530 mm 21 in on 15 February 2022 which caused deadly floods in Petropolis 5 Meteorologists at MetSul Meteorologia suggested this could be among the highest non tropical cyclone rainfall totals in the world 3 Further rains on 21 February exacerbated conditions 6 The local meteorological agency warned of further rains on 22 and 23 February 7 Impact EditThe prolific rains triggered a cascade of landslides and mudslides across Sao Paulo with the city of Sao Sebastiao being especially hard hit As of 21 February authorities confirmed 44 fatalities with 43 of those in Sao Sebastiao and the other in Ubatuba 6 8 A further 23 people suffered injuries 6 seriously 7 and dozens of people remain missing At least 50 homes were destroyed in Sao Sebastiao 9 At least 2 496 people were displaced or left homeless 5 The Rio Santos highway the main road in the region connecting it to Rio de Janeiro state 2 suffered extensive damage with numerous landslides covering or destroying stretches of the road 10 Another road connecting Santos with Bertioga was blocked off 2 Landslides from the rainfall on 21 February impacted Juquei displacing 80 people 6 Wind exceeding 55 km h 34 mph and waves of more than 1 m 3 3 ft prompted the closure of the Port of Santos on 18 February 8 Response Edit Lula and Tarcisio de Freitas during the visit to the affected areas Local emergency management agencies immediately dispatched more than 100 firefighters for search and rescue operations 8 By 21 February more than 600 personnel from the Government of the State of Sao Paulo the Brazilian Army the Federal Police the municipal government of Sao Sebastiao and volunteers were on the ground searching for survivors 5 A two year old and a mother in the middle of giving birth were rescued from what they called a sea of mud 8 By 21 February 7 5 tons of relief goods were distributed in Sao Paulo 2 Governor Tarcisio de Freitas declared a state of emergency for five cities on 20 February 8 A 180 day state of calamity was subsequently declared for Sao Paulo 11 That day Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva toured the affected areas and stated that Sao Sebastiao would be rebuilt in safer areas He advised those living on the hillsides to move to other locations 6 2 The Brazilian Navy planned to establish a field hospital with 300 beds on 23 February 2 Brazilian Carnival festivities were cancelled in Bertioga Ilhabela Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba 6 See also EditWeather in 2023 Climate of BrazilReferences Edit Death toll from Brazil downpours rises to 46 more rain forecast Reuters 21 February 2023 Archived from the original on 22 February 2023 Retrieved 22 February 2023 a b c d e f Pollastri Tatiana Hughes Eleonore 21 February 2023 Brazil deluge toll hits 44 as search continues for missing Stars and Stripes Archived from the original on 22 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 a b Nachtigall Luiz F 19 February 2023 Chuva de quase 700 mm inunda Litoral de Sao Paulo e vai sequir in Portuguese MetSul Meteorologia Archived from the original on 20 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 Davies Richard 20 February 2023 Brazil 680mm of Rain in 24 Hours Triggers Floods and Landslides in Sao Paulo Dozens Killed Flood List Archived from the original on 20 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 a b c d Davies Richard 21 February 2023 Brazil Death Toll Rises in Sao Paulo Floods and Landslides Flood List Archived from the original on 22 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 a b c d e Death toll from flooding in Brazil rises to 44 Al Jazeera 21 February 2023 Archived from the original on 22 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 a b Brazil Floods and landslides update Government of Sao Paulo INMET CEMADEN ECHO Daily Flash of 21 February 2023 European Commission s Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 21 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 via ReliefWeb a b c d e Floods landslides kill dozens in Brazil s Sao Paulo state Al Jazeera 20 February 2023 Archived from the original on 20 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 Brazil Floods and landslides INMET CEMADEN media ECHO Daily Flash of 20 February 2023 European Commission s Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 20 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 via ReliefWeb Death toll from flooding in Brazil rises Lula visits disaster hit region France24 21 February 2023 Archived from the original on 22 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 Deadly rains and landslides batter Brazil s Sao Paulo during carnival festivities CNN 21 February 2023 Archived from the original on 20 February 2023 Retrieved 21 February 2023 External links Edit Media related to Floods and landslides on the North Coast of Sao Paulo in 2023 at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2023 Sao Paulo floods and landslides amp oldid 1141061859, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
