Brazil Minas Gerais Floods

Overview

Beginning February 19, 2026, an extreme precipitation event brought record-breaking rainfall to the Zona da Mata region of southeastern Brazil's Minas Gerais state. The worst flooding struck on February 23–24, when torrential rains triggered massive landslides that buried neighborhoods in Juiz de Fora, Ubá, and Matias Barbosa, cutting off entire communities and leaving rescue teams unable to reach survivors by road. February 2026 became the wettest month ever recorded in Juiz de Fora, with total rainfall exceeding the monthly average by four times according to Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology (INMET). By March 17 — when the last missing person's body was recovered — the death toll had reached 73, making it the deadliest flood disaster in Brazil since the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods. Approximately 5,510 people were displaced at the peak of the crisis: 3,500 in Juiz de Fora, 1,200 in Ubá, and 810 in Matias Barbosa, with 253 rendered completely homeless. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared a national state of emergency and deployed federal security forces and the National Health System rapid-response unit to the affected areas. Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema declared three days of official mourning and visited the region. The federal government released approximately 3.4 million reais ($660,000 USD) for reconstruction. World Central Kitchen deployed teams to Matias Barbosa and Juiz de Fora, partnering with local restaurants to serve hot meals to displaced families and first responders. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided shelter, clean water, and hygiene supplies to thousands of displaced residents.