A new storm in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, resulted in the flooding of a hospital and various landslides, although emergency services continued to operate as planned.
Juiz de Fora, a city in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was hit by a severe storm on the evening of Wednesday, the 25th, leading to significant flooding and infrastructural damage. The subfloor of the Hospital de Pronto Socorro, one of the city's key medical facilities, was inundated, affecting areas housing administrative functions such as storage and dining. Fortunately, the local government reported that all personnel in the flooded area were evacuated without incident, ensuring that no disruption occurred to medical services at the hospital.
The storm also caused extensive flooding on major roadways, hindering the movement of ambulance services, exemplified by a specific incident where an ambulance was unable to pass due to flash floods on Avenida Itamar Franco. The Civil Defense issued two alerts to mobile phones between 7 PM and 10 PM to warn residents about the severe weather and rising water levels. The Paraibuna River rose to four meters, prompting government officials to advise the public against traveling in affected areas due to safety concerns.
In addition to the flooding, the storm resulted in structural collapses, notably a building collapse in the Vila Ideal neighborhood, along with landslides in various parts of the city. This series of natural events highlights the ongoing challenges that Juiz de Fora faces concerning extreme weather and infrastructure resilience, underscoring the importance of continued preparedness and community support during such emergencies.
