Deadly Floods and Landslides Strike Zona da Mata Region of Minas Gerais

In late February 2026, severe flooding and landslides struck the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais in Brazil, leaving at least 70 people dead and more than 5,500 residents displaced. The disaster followed days of intense rainfall that caused rivers to overflow, triggered landslides, and damaged infrastructure across several municipalities. Emergency teams conducted search and rescue operations as authorities attempted to reach isolated communities affected by the flooding. The city of Juiz de Fora was the hardest hit, accounting for 62 of the confirmed fatalities. Meteorological records showed that the city experienced its wettest February on record, receiving 752.4 millimeters of rainfall, more than four times the typical monthly average. The heavy rain saturated hillsides and overwhelmed drainage systems, causing mudslides and widespread flooding in several neighborhoods. The nearby city of Ubá reported eight deaths after a sudden flash flood inundated the city center. Floodwaters also affected facilities at Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), where parts of the campus sustained damage. Across the broader Zona da Mata region, authorities reported that approximately 5,510 people were forced from their homes, including around 3,500 residents in Juiz de Fora and 1,200 in Ubá. The disaster also disrupted local economic activity. Officials reported that a “production blackout” affected roughly 40 percent of active industrial capacity in Juiz de Fora and Ubá, threatening sectors such as mining and furniture manufacturing that are important to the regional economy. In rural areas surrounding Ubá, 31 bridges were destroyed, cutting off access to farms and preventing the transport of milk and other perishable agricultural goods. Authorities in Juiz de Fora declared a state of public calamity, noting that roughly 25 percent of the city’s population lives in areas considered at high risk for landslides or flooding. Emergency shelters were established for displaced residents, and civil defense teams continued search operations for missing individuals as of 28/02/2026, when four people were still reported unaccounted for. Federal and state authorities mobilized relief efforts following the disaster. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the affected region on 28/02/2026 and announced federal assistance, including the deployment of medical teams from the Unified Health System (SUS). Meanwhile, Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema declared three days of official mourning and coordinated emergency support through the state’s civil defense agencies.