Blumenau entered official flood status Saturday evening as the Rio Itajaí-Açu surpassed the 8-meter mark, according to NSC Total. The river reached 8.06 meters at 9 p.m., a level that triggers a flood in the city. This marks the first time in 2026 the river has hit this critical threshold. It’s the 103rd such event recorded in the city’s history.
City’s Alert Confirmed as River Rises Overnight
The city had already issued a warning earlier in the day, anticipating the flood could begin by 11 p.m. due to heavy rainfall in the Itajaí-Açu basin, particularly in the Alto Vale do Itajaí region. At 1 a.m., the river is projected to peak at 8.20 meters, which officials classify as a small-scale flood.
The rising waters have already left their mark. At least three areas are inundated, including areas around Rua São Rafael in Itoupava North, and Rua 1º de Janeiro at the intersections with Albert Goll and Martha Cordeiro streets. These low-lying areas are among the most vulnerable in the municipality.
Over 40 Ocorrências as Rains Pound the Region
The relentless downpour has kept the city’s Civil Defense force busy. By Saturday afternoon, they had logged 43 incidents since the rains began Friday. The list includes 25 landslides, two collapsed walls, five floods, one flash flood, three fallen trees, and seven risk assessments. The deluge has been intense, with some neighborhoods recording rainfall totals close to 100 millimeters in a short period.
The rainfall data from NSC Total, recorded by 7 p.m., paints a stark picture of the storm’s impact across Blumenau:
| Neighborhood | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Glória | 93.6 |
| Velha Grande | 90.8 |
| Jordão | 85.6 |
| Parque Ramiro Ruediger | 84.6 |
| Ponte Adolfo Konder | 81.2 |
Regional Response Swells as Rio do Sul Opens Shelters
The impact stretches far beyond Blumenau. In Rio do Sul, the city has opened four shelters to accommodate families affected by the rains. Secretary Maria Helena Zimmermann reported that approximately 150 people were in the shelters as of Saturday. She noted the number could grow as more families decide to leave their homes preemptively.
The shelters, located at the Catholic Church, Evangelical Church, Nossa Senhora do Rosário Church, and a local gymnasium, provide more than just a roof. Teams are offering meals, hygiene facilities, and psychological support. The city also supplies mattresses and blankets for those who had to leave their belongings behind.
Meanwhile, Rio do Sul’s own river level reached 7.60 meters Saturday morning, according to the city’s Civil Defense, prompting the agency to revise its flood thresholds. The cota de inundação, or flood level, was raised from 7 to 8 meters, and the alert level from 7.5 to 8.5 meters, reflecting new assessments of the river’s conditions and weather forecasts. With rain expected to stop by 3 p.m., the city projects the river could peak at 7.80 meters.
Both cities’ civil defense departments are on high alert for landslides, urging residents to watch for new cracks in the ground, leaning trees or posts, and moving earth as clear danger signs. Anyone spotting these signs is advised to evacuate immediately and call 199 (Civil Defense) or 193 (Fire Department).
The situation in Blumenau and the broader Itajaí Valley shows the region remains vulnerable to extreme weather events. As the flood unfolds, the focus remains on immediate response and the safety of those in harm’s way.
