A recent report by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in collaboration with the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters (Cemaden), highlights a significant concern for the city of Juiz de Fora, where 25% of its residents, totaling approximately 128,946 people, are living in high-risk areas susceptible to natural disasters such as landslides and floods. This alarming statistic places Juiz de Fora as the ninth worst city in Brazil in terms of the population living under such precarious conditions.

Risk areas are defined as regions with a likelihood of natural disasters that endanger the lives and properties of local residents. These areas can be classified into geological risk zones, which are slopes prone to landslides, and hydrological risk zones, which are riverbanks vulnerable to flooding. The identification and mapping of these zones are crucial for urban planning and disaster preparedness, as they provide essential data for authorities to mitigate risks and enhance community resilience.

The Civil Defense of Juiz de Fora employs a mapping system categorized into four levels of danger, based on various characteristics of the terrain and environmental factors. By accurately assessing these risk zones, local governance can devise strategies to improve safety measures and potentially relocate impacted communities, ultimately aiming to safeguard lives and reduce the economic impact of such disasters.