Intense rains in juiz de fora, minas gerais, accumulated 605.6 mm by tuesday (24), making february the rainiest month in the city's history. The storm caused at least 30 deaths and 39 missing persons, with landslides and burials affecting thousands. Authorities declared a state of calamity and mobilized rescues.
By 6 p.m. on tuesday (february 24, 2026), the national institute of meteorology (Inmet) recorded 605.6 mm of precipitation in Juiz de Fora, in the mata region of minas gerais. This amount is about three and a half times the historical monthly average of 170 mm, based on the last 30 years. Most of the rain fell between 6 p.m. and midnight on monday (23), with nearly 150 mm accumulated in the nossa senhora de lourdes area, according to Cemaden.
The storm caused landslides and floods, resulting in at least 30 deaths and 39 missing persons by 9:20 p.m., per the fire department's update. In Juiz de Fora, 24 deaths and 37 missing were confirmed; in Ubá, 6 deaths and 2 missing. Firefighters rescued 208 people and are operating with 125 personnel in the region, including 62 in Juiz de Fora, 49 in Ubá, and 14 in Matias Barbosa.
Mayor Margarida Salomão (PT) reported at least 20 burials, mainly in the southeast region, and 535 incidents handled by civil defense. Over 3,000 people are homeless and sheltered in 15 schools. The federal government recognized the state of calamity in Ubá, Matias Barbosa, and Juiz de Fora, facilitating aid.
A notable case occurred in the parque jardim burnier neighborhood, where a 3-year-old boy survived a landslide by being hugged by his mother, Elizabeth, who died at the scene. The child's father is missing. Residents said rocks from a nearby hill contributed to the disaster, which destroyed about 12 properties. Inmet warns of more intense rains starting wednesday (25), with risks of new flooding and landslides on saturated soil.
