Feb 17 • 11:12 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

'I thought I was going to die,' says woman who abandoned her car and clung to a pole to avoid being swept away by floodwaters in Greater São Paulo

A woman in Greater São Paulo recounted her near-death experience after she abandoned her car and clung to a pole during a severe rainstorm.

In a dramatic incident during a heavy rainstorm in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo, Larissa Guedes Rossi faced life-threatening conditions when her car became submerged in rapidly rising floodwaters. In a video filmed by nearby residents, Larissa was seen abandoning her vehicle and desperately grasping onto a pole to avoid being swept away. She narrated her harrowing experience, expressing that she truly believed she would die as she fought to stay above water.

The situation unfolded on Monday afternoon as Larissa attempted to cross Avenida Monteiro Lobato, which had turned into a torrent due to intense rainfall. She described feeling caught between life and death, as the water's force increased. Bystanders who witnessed the event encouraged her to reach for the pole, capturing the moment on video as her car began to float away. The public's reactions were filled with panic and concern as they alerted her to the dangers surrounding her.

This incident highlights the severe risks posed by heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in urban areas where infrastructure can struggle to cope with such adverse weather. Larissa's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of attempting to drive through flooded streets and reinforces the need for public awareness and emergency preparedness in the face of extreme weather events.

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