São Paulo has experienced its fourth-wettest September on record after nearly 200 millimeters of rain fell in the city’s first 12 days. The Mirante de Santana weather station logged 198.2mm of precipitation by September 12, exceeding the usual monthly total and trailing only three other Septembers since 1943. During one 24-hour span, the station detected 75.4mm—the highest single-day rainfall recorded anywhere in Brazil during that timeframe.
The downpours have triggered widespread disruptions, including the closure of 23 sections of state highways. The older segment of the Tamoios highway through the Serra do Mar was temporarily blocked due to landslide dangers, while the newer mountain route stayed open but required controlled convoy movements as authorities monitored conditions. This corridor serves as a key connection between the São Paulo metropolitan area and coastal towns like Caraguatatuba, where travel has grown increasingly perilous.
In Eldorado, the Ribeira River’s rising waters forced evacuations for dozens of households. Across the state, landslides and saturated soil have overwhelmed drainage systems in multiple municipalities. Officials emphasized that even after rainfall subsides, roads—particularly in mountainous or coastal zones, may stay hazardous because of debris, uprooted trees, or lingering floodwaters.
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Travelers heading to the Atlantic coast face severe challenges. Heavy rain is expected to persist in the northern coast and Baixada Santista regions, while mountainous routes linking the interior to coastal areas remain prone to landslides. Authorities recommend verifying real-time road updates before setting out, as navigation tools may not account for closures or dangers.
September’s unusual rainfall patterns have defied typical climate trends, which usually shift toward drier conditions by this point. Meanwhile, the Ribeira River’s floodwaters continue to threaten communities in Eldorado, where evacuation orders remain in place.