With 50 thousand in risk areas, Canoas orders the evacuation of 11 neighborhoods

“This is the most tragic episode in the history of Canoas. A situation beyond our capacity [de resposta]”. This is how the mayor of Canoas, Jairo Jorge, described the situation in the city of almost 348 thousand inhabitants, located in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre (RS).

With more than 50,000 people living in risk areas, the city council advised the population across the west side of the city to leave their homes and seek shelter in higher, safer places in the city.

The recommendation affects residents of the neighborhoods Niterói, Mathias Velho, Fátima, Harmonia, Central Park, Cinco Colônias, São Luís, Rio Branco, Vila Cerne, Santo Operário and Mato Grande. Places where the large volume of water coming from the Serra Gaúcha region and the center of the state, through the Sinos and Jacuí rivers, which flow into the Guaíba, near the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, causes flooding and a lot of damage.

“The water ended up advancing very quickly and, therefore, we ordered the evacuation of the entire west side of the city”, explained Jairo Jorge during a live broadcast on the city hall’s social networks.

According to Jorge, the city hall is providing the necessary number of buses for those who need transportation.

Almost throughout the city, there are residents waiting for help or assistance. Aircraft from the state government and the Armed Forces fly over the city, lifting people and pets from the roofs of buildings islanded by the water. According to Jorge, by the end of this morning (4), there were already more than 3 thousand people sheltered in public shelters and the city hall is considering opening at least 11 more temporary shelters.

Hospital evacuated

Hit by water, the Canoas Emergency Hospital (HPSC), in the Mathias Velho neighborhood, had to be completely evacuated this morning. The city began to remove the first patients from the site in the previous days, but, with the water level rising, it needed the help of Army soldiers and municipal Civil Defense employees to complete the evacuation of the second floor.

Yesterday, UPA Rio Branco was also closed due to rising water levels and a lack of electricity. Emergency cases are currently being treated at Hospital Nossa Senhora das Graças

Much of the city is without electricity and water, while the telecommunications network is wavering, leaving many people incommunicado part of the time, including authorities and rescue teams. According to Mayor Jairo Jorge, only two of the eight pump houses in the municipal drainage system are working. The equipment is important to prevent flooding and help with water drainage during periods of heavy rain.

Through a messaging application, the National Radiofrom the Brazilian Communication Company (EBC)managed to talk to a resident of the Harmonia neighborhood who had to leave her home this morning.

“Around 3:30 am, in a matter of five minutes, the water rose through the drains and, very quickly, filled everything,” Paula Hoffmann told the reporter.

“There was a lot of turmoil. Neighbors, friends, everyone trying to leave at the same time. We managed to get to one of the shelters and, about an hour later, we learned that, on the outskirts of our neighborhood, [o nível da] water had already exceeded two meters [de profundidade]. This morning, I received messages from some neighbors who stayed in their homes and are now asking for help because they have no way to get out and the water is already reaching the second floor”, added Paula, describing the scenario as that of a “war”.

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“As we had already warned, this is an absolutely unprecedented situation”, commented Governor Eduardo Leite, during a broadcast on social media this morning.

“People need to understand the gravity of what we are experiencing in Rio Grande do Sul, as they do not have the dimension of what [as águas] they can submerge entire neighborhoods in some locations”, warned Leite, reiterating the recommendation that people leave risk areas at the slightest sign of danger. “It is very important that people heed all of our warnings.”

To date, 60% of Rio Grande do Sul’s municipalities have already been affected by the heavy rains hitting the state.

* Collaborated with Dayana Vitor, from Rádio Nacional