In the municipality of Juiz de Fora, 16 deaths have been recorded, alongside 4 fatalities in the city of Ubá, which is approximately a two-hour drive away. The disaster was initiated by a river overflowing its banks, leading to landslides and the collapse of buildings. Margarida Salomão, the mayor of Juiz de Fora, declared a state of emergency, emphasizing the dire situation that the municipality, home to just over half a million residents, is undergoing during its rainiest February on record.

The area has been severely affected, with certain regions completely isolated and a minimum of 20 landslides reported, prompting the mayor to label the situation as extreme. Emergency services have been activated to respond to the floods, landslides, and structural risks in areas along the overflowed Paraibuna River. Lt. Henrique Barcellosas from the Minas Gerais fire department detailed that rescue operations are focused on searching for victims while evacuating residents from the most dangerous zones.

Footage circulating on social media shows rescuers using excavators in mud-covered areas and the total destruction of homes. Many residents remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about the potential rise in casualty numbers as search and rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions caused by the relentless rains.