For the first time, São Paulo's Civil Defense issued an extreme alert for severe storms in the south and east zones of the capital on Saturday (January 17), triggered by intense rains causing widespread flooding and creek overflows. The 10-second siren warning urged immediate protection amid risks to life and property, following a week of heavy precipitation and a tragic flash flood the previous day that swept away an elderly couple.
On Saturday (January 17), around 6 p.m., São Paulo's Civil Defense activated its first-ever extreme alert for the south and east zones, prompted by a severe storm. Unlike standard severe alerts with a single beep, the extreme version emits a prolonged 10-second siren sound—even on silent mode—with the phone screen freezing on the warning message until dismissed manually.
The Center for Climate Emergencies Management (CGE) issued citywide flood alerts, escalating to red in neighborhoods including Mooca, Ipiranga, Vila Prudente, and Santo Amaro due to creek overflows like Mooca and Água Espraiada. At least 12-13 flooding points were reported, blocking avenues such as Professor Luiz Ignacio Anhaia (sections impassable), Salim Farah Maluf, das Nações Unidas (three points), do Estado, and Carlos Caldeira Filho. Nearly 50 mm of rain fell in one hour—classified as extreme by the World Meteorological Organization—fueling flash floods. Winds peaked at 56.2 km/h at the M'Boi Mirim-Guapiranga Dam station. Rodovia Régis Bittencourt was blocked at km 286 in Itapecerica da Serra.
The Fire Department responded to 14 fallen tree calls and 24 flood incidents by 8:30 p.m. Power outages initially affected 46,000 properties, later reduced to 26,000. The city exited flood attention status at 8:40 p.m.
The alert was heightened by Friday's (January 16) tragedy in Campo Limpo/Capão Redondo, where Marcos da Mata Ribeiro, 68, an app driver, and wife Maria Deusdete Bezerra Ribeiro, 67, a seamstress married 46 years, were swept away in their white Hyundai HB20 on Avenida Carlos Caldeira Filho by Córrego Morro do S., less than 2 km from home. Marcos called son Hugo for help before the line cut; his body was recovered Saturday in the Pinheiros River near Edson Godoy Bridge and identified by Hugo. Maria remains missing, with searches resuming Sunday (January 18); the car is unlocated. The couple leaves two sons and two grandchildren.
South zone residents protested recurrent floods around Avenida Carlos Caldeira Filho, stating: 'Year after year we suffer huge damages from floods. Lives, homes, cars, dignity… We survive, and each new flood only worsens it.' State Deputy Ediane Maria (PSol) requested a civil inquiry into the Municipal Secretariat of Infrastructure and Works and the CG-JZ-Carlos Caldeira consortium for delays in projects like Córrego Água dos Brancos canalization and Capão Redondo microdrainage, saying: 'This is an old problem, for which solutions were planned, but they have not been properly executed.'
Since December 1, rains have caused 11 deaths in the state. Weather stays unstable, with showers forecast for Sunday (19-27°C) and a cold front Monday (18-25°C).
