Overall Orange alert Flood
in Brazil

Event summary

This flood can have a medium humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

GDACS ID FL 1102592
Glide number: FL-2024-000063-BRA
Death: 144
Displaced: 540548
Countries: Brazil
From - To 23 Apr - 17 May

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Virtual OSOCC
Meteo assessment
Satellite products
Analytical products
Brazil - Floods (ECHO 02 May 2024)Thu, 02 May 2024 10:15

  • Over the past few days, heavy rain has been impacting more than 100 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul state (southern Brazil), causing floods and severe weather-related incidents, which have led to casualties and damage.
  • According to media, ten people died, 21 went missing and 3,400 were displaced across the state. In addition, several towns were isolated after bridges collapsed and roads were destroyed due to floods and mudslides.
  • For the next 24 hours, more heavy rainfall is forecasted across the affected state, where red warnings for heavy rainfall are still in effect. On 2 May a very high hydro-geological risk alert is in effect across most parts of the Rio Grande do Sul state. 
Brazil - Floods, update (ECHO 03 May 2024)Fri, 03 May 2024 10:45

  • Following the heavy rainfall that affected the Rio Grande do Sul state (the southernmost state of Brazil) over the past few days, causing floods, landslides and mudslides, casualties and damage are still increasing. The flooding also worsened after a dam broke on 2 May in the area of the Cotiporã and the Bento Gonçalves municipalities.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMSR720) was activated in rapid mapping mode on 3 May to have information on the dam condition and detect flooding on the villages downstream. 
  • Media report, as of 3 May, 30 fatalities, 60 people still missing, 36 injured people and approximately 15,000 displaced people across 154 municipalities throughout the Rio Grande do Sul state. The authorities declared the state of emergency.
  • Over the next 72 hours, very heavy rainfall is still forecasted over the whole Rio Grande do Sul state.
Brazil - Floods and landslides (ECHO 06 May 2024)Mon, 06 May 2024 10:30

  • Rio Grande do Sul state (southernmost Brazil) is still experiencing heavy rainfall that is causing floods and landslides, leading to an increasing number of casualties and damage.
  • According to the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul, 78 people have been confirmed dead, 105 others are still missing and 175 have been injured. Moreover, 18,847 people have been sheltered, almost 116,000 displaced, and 844,673 affected across 341 municipalities.
  • National authorities have rescued 1,000 people through rescue and emergency operations, as reported by the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service () was activated in rapid mapping mode on 3 May to provide flood extent and damage assessment, and five maps have been produced so far. 
  • On 6 May, moderate to localized heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecasted, particularly across southern Rio Grande do Sul state. As a result, a very high hydrological risk is in effect across most parts of the Rio Grande do Sul state. 
Flood in Brazil - EC/ECHO daily mapMon, 06 May 2024 17:43

A new EC/ECHO daily map is now available
Brazil - Floods and landslides (ECHO 08 May 2024)Wed, 08 May 2024 10:33

  • Following the heavy rainfall that is affecting southern Brazil in the last few days, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul (the worst affected), Parana and Santa Catarina states, which is causing flooding and landslides, the number of casualties and damage continues to rise.
  • As of 7 May, according to media reports, at least 95 people have died, 372 have been injured, 131 are still missing, 208,000 people have been displaced and at least 1.5 million people have been affected across Rio Grande Do Sul. More than 1.4 million people are without electricity, 48 cities are cut off from telecommunications, Porto Alegre city is isolated due to the flooded roads and flights at the main airport have been suspended.
  • Four dams (Blang, Dal Bo, and Santa Lucia) are being monitored by the local authorities, and the 14 de Julho dam in Cotipora municipality has partially collapsed.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service () was activated on 3 May to provide flood extent and damage assessment, and nine maps have been produced so far.
  • On 8 May more rainfall is expected over Rio Grande do Sul state, but drier conditions are forecasted on 9 May.
Brazil - Severe weather, floods and landslides, update (ECHO 13 May 2024)Mon, 13 May 2024 10:18

  • The death toll has increased following heavy rainfall, floods and landslides in Rio Grande do Sul state (southernmost Brazil) that occurred in the past week.
  • According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), as of 12 May, 143 people have died, 130 are still missing and 806 others have been injured. In addition, almost 540,000 people have been displaced and more than 2,115,000 others have been affected across 446 municipalities. Several roads were partially or totally blocked, and bridges and infrastructures have been flooded.
  • The Federal Government has declared the state of calamity so that civil protection and humanitarian assistance can be provided. 
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service () was activated in rapid mapping mode on 3 May to provide flood extent and damage assessment, and 16 maps have been produced so far.
  • For the next 24 hours, moderate to localized heavy rainfall is forecast mostly over the northern parts of the affected state.
Flood in Brazil - EC/ECHO daily mapWed, 15 May 2024 16:53

A new EC/ECHO daily map is now available
Brazil - Floods and landslides, update (ECHO 16 May 2024)Thu, 16 May 2024 10:59

  • Following the heavy rainfall that has been ravaging the Rio Grande do Sul state - the southernmost state of Brazil - since early May, causing floods and triggering landslides and mudslides, the number of casualties and damage are still increasing.
  • The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul report, as of 15 May, 149 fatalities, 108 people still missing, 806 injured people, 538,126 displaced people (of which 76,580 evacuated in several shelters) and a total of approximately 2,144,000 affected people across 452 municipalities (out of 496) throughout the state. In addition, the same source also reports more than 76,000 rescued people across the affected area.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service () was activated in rapid mapping mode on 3 May to provide the damage assessment, producing 16 maps so far.
  • DG ECHO has allocated EUR 1,200,000 to address the urgent needs of the most vulnerable affected by the disaster. 
  • Over the next 24 hours, no more rainfall is forecasted over the whole state, while heavy rainfall is still forecasted over central and northern Rio Grande do Sul state starting from 17 May.
Brazil - Floods and landslides, update (ECHO 17 May 2024)Fri, 17 May 2024 10:16

  • The number of casualties and the damage are still increasing following the heavy rainfall that has been affecting the Rio Grande do Sul state since early May, causing floods and triggering landslides and mudslides.
  • The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul reports, as of 16 May, 151 fatalities, 104 people still missing, 806 injured people, nearly 540,200 displaced people - of which around 77,200 evacuated in several shelters -  and a total of approximately 2,282,000 affected people across 461 municipalities throughout the state. The same source reports over 76,600 rescued people across the affected municipalities.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Management Service () was activated in rapid mapping mode on 3 May to provide the damage assessment, producing 17 maps so far. 
  • Over the next 72 hours, heavy rainfall with locally very heavy rainfall is still forecasted over northern Rio Grande do Sul state.
Brazil - Floods and landslides, update (ECHO 24 May 2024)Fri, 24 May 2024 10:05

  • The number of casualties and the damage are still increasing following the heavy rainfall that affected the Rio Grande do Sul state since early May, causing floods and triggering landslides and mudslides.
  • The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul report, as of 21 May, 161 fatalities, 85 people still missing, 806 injured people, nearly 582,000 displaced people, of which around 72,500 evacuated in several shelters, and a total of approximately 2,339,500 affected people across 464 municipalities throughout the state. The same source reports over 82,600 rescued people across the affected municipalities.
  • Over the next 48 hours, very heavy rainfall is still forecast over the whole Rio Grande do Sul state.
Brazil - Floods and landslides, update (ECHO 30 May 2024)Thu, 30 May 2024 10:26

  • Following the heavy rainfall that affected Rio Grande do Sul state since early May, causing floods and triggering landslides, the number of casualties and damage are still increasing.
  • According to the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul report, as of 28 May, at least 169 people died, 53 people are still missing, 806 have been injured, nearly 581,638 are still displaced, of whom 48,789 are sheltered, and a total of 2,345,400 people have been affected across 469 municipalities.
  • On 30-31 May, drier conditions are expected over Rio Grande do Sul state.
Brazil - Floods and landslides, update (ECHO 05 Jun 2024)Wed, 05 Jun 2024 10:38

  • The number of casualties is still increasing following the heavy rainfall that affected the Rio Grande do Sul state since early May, causing floods and triggering landslides and mudslides.
  • The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul state and WHO PAHO reports, as of 3 June, 172 fatalities, 42 people still missing, 806 injured people, nearly 579,500 still displaced people - of which around 37,200 evacuated in several shelters - and a total of approximately 2,390,500 affected people across 475 municipalities throughout the state.
  • Over the next 72 hours, drier conditions are expected over the whole Rio Grande do Sul state.
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationThu, 16 May 2024 00:30

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationThu, 09 May 2024 03:38

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationWed, 08 May 2024 20:30

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationTue, 07 May 2024 22:35

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationMon, 06 May 2024 15:31

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationSun, 05 May 2024 19:05

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Flood in Brazil - Copernicus EMS activationSat, 04 May 2024 18:45

[EMSR720] Flood in Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil
Pernambuco State, Brazil, Mid-May 2024Local media reported heavy rain on 15 May 2024 caused flooding in parts of Pernambuco State, Brazil. One bridge was severely damaged in Riacho das Almas.Thu 16 May 2024FloodList provided by Copernicus GloFAS
Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)

Latest media headlines

US Boosts Humanitarian Aid for Flood-Hit Brazil 5/20/2024 11:08:00 PM.

The United States, through USAID, intends to provide $800,000 in humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate needs of those affected by devastating floods in Brazil's southern Rio Grande do Sul state. This brings the total USAID humanitar
...(more)
United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Support for Flood-Affe.. 5/20/2024 11:01:00 PM.

For Immediate Release. Office of Press Relations press@usaid.gov. Monday, May 20, 2024. Press Release. The United States, through USAID, intends to provide $800,000 in humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate needs of those affected by
...(more)
BLUETTI Responds To Houston Storm: Seeking Relief Collaboration And Of.. 5/20/2024 7:13:00 PM.

- PR Newswire) LAS VEGAS, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A severe thunderstorm swept through Texas on May 17, leaving nearly a million Houston-area residents without power. BLUETTI , an industry leader in clean energy storage, is stepping up
...(more)
Climate Change to Blame? South Brazil Confronts Devastating Floods as .. 5/20/2024 5:33:00 PM.

In a remarkable display of nature's power, the southernmost state of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, has been brought to its knees by an invisible force: the 'flying river.' This meteorological marvel, a stream of vapor originating from the Amaz
...(more)

Estimated casualties (PAGER)

USGS estimates the number of casualties for each earthquake for the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) product.
The graph shows the current fatalities estimate.

Exposed population

Data, images, links, services and documents

For this events, GDACS has links to information from the following sources: EC-JRC (36), (2), NASA (4), WMO (1), INFORM (2),