Storm invades Santa Lúcia Hospital during 64 mm rain in Poços de Caldas; services were maintained

Water entered the unit's reception, but, according to the hospital's press office, no services needed to be suspended and services continued to operate normally.

The press office reported that the large volume of water that flowed down Avenida Edmundo Cardillo exceeded the capacity of the drains in the region, allowing part of the flood to invade the hospital reception.

The Fire Department reported that it also operated at the back of the hospital during the incident. According to the military, there was a risk of losing food and other materials stored at the site due to the entry of water.

The Santa Lúcia Hospital press office did not confirm this information. However, during the morning of this Friday (13), a team from the Municipal Department of Water and Sewage (DMAE) was cleaning the area at the back of the unit with the support of a water tanker.

Despite the disruption caused by the rain, the hospital reported that no services were affected and that all services continued to be carried out normally.

In addition to the impacts on the hospital, the storm caused problems in several neighborhoods in Poços de Caldas. In Jardim Tiradentes, water invaded eight apartments in a condominium. Residents faced difficulties in cleaning the properties during the early hours of the morning.

In the Jardim Hortências neighborhood, a strong flood of water came down Rua Professora Magda Pinto Amarante. Images recorded two people facing the current to try to access a vehicle that was stopped on the road.

Flooding was also recorded in regions such as Jardim Esperança, Azaleia and Avenida João Pinheiro. In the latter, the level of the rivers rose significantly, causing flooding and even passing over some bridges.

One of the main damages recorded by the rain occurred in the Cascatinha neighborhood. An extensive section of the Ribeirão de Caldas retaining wall collapsed and fell into the bed of the watercourse.

According to city hall, the structure was more than 60 years old and could not resist the force of the current. The morning after the storm, machines were taken to the site to remove debris and expand the water flow.

During the work, the city council identified the risk of falling trees near the affected section. When starting to cut down one of them, a female possum with two babies was found inside the trunk and took refuge in another tree. The Fire Department began to evaluate a safe way to rescue the animals.

In another tree, workers found a hive of bees. Given the risk to pedestrians and work teams, firefighters advised caution in continuing the removal.