Rio Grande declares emergency as Lagoa dos Patos floods

The city of Rio Grande, located in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, has declared a level 2 state of emergency following critical rises in the levels of Lagoa dos Patos. Mayor Darlene Pereira officialized the measure on Thursday night in response to severe damage caused by heavy rains and adverse hydrometeorological events.

The flooding has impacted both urban and rural areas, affecting public roads, residences, community equipment, and productive zones. The Municipal Civil Defense Commission (COMPDEC-RG) is coordinating priority actions, including immediate assistance to affected families, risk mapping, and the restoration of essential services. To assist residents, the municipality is working to map affected neighborhoods to facilitate the release of FGTS calamity withdrawals through Caixa Econômica Federal.

Simultaneously, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has issued several weather alerts for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. These include orange alerts for storms—with risks of heavy rain, intense winds between 60 and 100 km/h, and hail—and coastal winds that could move dunes over coastal constructions. Yellow alerts have also been issued for potential risks of rain and wind across the state.