13 cities in Espírito Santo suffer from heavy rains and floods; dozens of people are left homeless

This Saturday (30), the Civil Defense of Espírito Santo issued an extraordinary bulletin listing the incidents recorded in the state due to the heavy rains that hit the region a week ago. At least 20 people lost their lives, mainly in the cities of Mimoso do Sul (18) and Apiacá (2), which were the hardest hit by the floods.

The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) had warned about the arrival of a cold front and the danger of strong storms in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. Rainfall of 60 mm/h or 100 mm/day was estimated, but twice as much rain fell in one night as predicted by monitoring bodies.

The force of the waters took everything in sight, many families lost belongings such as documents, clothes and furniture. Dozens of cars were carried away by the current, including a fire truck that helped with the rescues.

The trail of destruction is still part of the scenery. Residents try to account for the losses and recover after the tragedy. In addition to the dead and missing, around 11,300 people had to leave their homes because they were in risk areas and another 11,000 were homeless.

For this weekend, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued a new warning of heavy rain that could reach 30mm/hour or 50mm/day. Winds between 40 and 60 km/hour are also expected.

The cities that remain on alert are: Alegre, Alfredo Chaves, Apiacá, Atílio Vivacqua, Bom Jesus do Norte, Guaçuí, Jerônimo Monteiro, Mimoso do Sul, Muniz Freire, Muqui, Rio Novo do Sul, São José do Calçado and Vargem High.

_{Debris of vehicles taken by the current in Mimoso do Sul/ES (Photo: reproduction/Fernando Madeira/G1)}

Public power in action

The state government released the first measures to help people in vulnerable situations. An assistance card called the reconstruction card was made available, which can be used to purchase furniture, clothing, food, household appliances and construction materials. The value is R$3.5 (three thousand and five hundred reais).

According to the governor of Espírito Santo, Renato Casagrande, after survey and analysis, for the demands of urban infrastructure, roads and housing, around R$743 million will be spent. It will be necessary to build new housing and repair public roads.

_{Belongings destroyed due to heavy rain (Photo: reproduction/TV Gazeta)}

Accounting for losses & solidarity

Amid the devastating scenario, residents organize themselves into collective efforts to clean the streets and houses. Cleaning will still take time, as there is a lot of mud and dirt in the streets, which makes it difficult to move around and remove the materials left behind by the tragedy.

The support of volunteers has been a differentiator in the actions. Donations are arriving and the participation of these agents has made a difference. This Saturday (30), residents received reinforcements from 80 student soldiers from the Vitória Military Police, who were transferred to the city of Mimoso, to help unblock roads, facilitating the movement of residents and volunteers.

Troops from the 38th Infantry Battalion of the Brazilian Army, from Vila Velha, are also in the region working in the city's cleaning task force. The request would have been made by Governor Renato Casagrande.

Basic items such as water, cleaning products, personal hygiene, clothes, shoes, mattresses are being delivered to support points, helping thousands of affected families.

Featured photo: rains devastate cities in Espírito Santo (Reproduction/Max Wender/Casa Militar ES)