Flood

Severe flooding across Brazil’s São Paulo state has disrupted road travel, forced evacuations and affected 23 sections of state highways as an unusually wet September continues to produce dangerous conditions across the region.
São Paulo city recorded 198.2 millimeters of rain at the Mirante de Santana weather station during the first 12 days of September, already making this the fourth-wettest September since records there began in 1943.
Across the wider state, authorities reported total or partial closures on 23 sections of state roads, while flooding, landslides and saturated ground created additional risks for drivers traveling between São Paulo, coastal destinations and communities in the interior.

23 sections of state roads affected
São Paulo’s Department of Highways reported total or partial closures at 23 locations across the state as authorities responded to flooding and landslide risks.
Among the important routes affected during the severe weather was the older section of the Tamoios highway through the Serra do Mar, which was temporarily closed because of the volume of rainfall and the risk of landslides.
Traffic on the newer mountain route was managed using controlled convoy operations while authorities inspected conditions.
The Tamoios corridor is particularly important for travelers heading between the São Paulo metropolitan region and popular coastal destinations around Caraguatatuba and the northern coast.
São Paulo is approaching 200mm of September rain
The rainfall totals in the capital underline how unusual the current weather pattern has become.
By September 12, the Mirante de Santana station had recorded 198.2mm of rain for the month.
That already ranked as São Paulo’s fourth-wettest September in a record dating back to 1943, behind only September 1983, 1993 and 2015.
In one 24-hour period alone, 75.4mm fell at the station, the highest rainfall total recorded anywhere in Brazil during that measurement period.

Flooding spreads beyond São Paulo city
The disruption extends well beyond the capital.
In Eldorado, rising water from the Ribeira River forced dozens of families from their homes, while flooding and landslides were reported across several municipalities.
Authorities have also been monitoring rivers, saturated hillsides and drainage systems as repeated rainfall leaves less capacity to absorb additional storms.
For visitors, that means road conditions can deteriorate even after rainfall has eased, particularly where landslides, fallen trees or flooding affect mountain and coastal routes.
Travelers heading to the coast should monitor roads
The severe weather is especially relevant for travelers driving between São Paulo and destinations along the Atlantic coast.
The northern coast and Baixada Santista have both been included in heavy-rain forecasts, while mountainous roads connecting the coast with the interior are vulnerable to landslides during prolonged rainfall.
Drivers should check road conditions immediately before departure and avoid attempting to cross flooded sections even when navigation apps continue to show a route as available.