The city government of Taubaté, Brazil, has enacted a decree offering IPTU (Urban Property and Land Tax) exemptions to homeowners whose properties were adversely affected by significant flooding following heavy rains. These floods, particularly damaging in the Santa Tereza neighborhood, resulted in approximately 120 homes being inundated, leaving more than 30 individuals displaced. Fortunately, no casualties were reported from these incidents.

The flooding was exacerbated by a local river overflowing due to the volume of rain, leading to severe inundation of streets and the need for some families to seek temporary shelter at the Municipal School Professora Docelina Silva de Campos Coelho. The local administration has indicated that the property tax exemption will apply to properties that have sustained physical, hydraulic, or electrical damage directly resulting from floods or similar events, and is limited to the tax year when the flooding occurred.

Homeowners seeking the exemption will need to formally submit a request to the city, which likely aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by those affected by the floods. This proactive measure underscores the municipality's responsiveness to natural disasters and the need to support affected residents during difficult times, highlighting both the challenges of urban infrastructure in extreme weather conditions and the importance of community assistance during disasters.