Storms in Pernambuco and Paraíba affect, directly or indirectly, more than 18 thousand people; part of the affected population was sent to public shelters
More than 3,000 people were left homeless or displaced in Pernambuco and Paraíba after the heavy rains recorded in recent days, according to a federal government report. According to the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, the data was consolidated based on information from state and municipal civil defenses and released this Saturday (May 2, 2026).
The rains caused 6 deaths in Pernambuco, where there are 1,605 homeless people and 1,089 displaced people. In Paraíba, two deaths were recorded, with 703 people homeless, 624 homeless and approximately 16 thousand affected.
Local authorities say that part of the population affected by the rains was sent to public shelters, while others sought support in relatives’ homes.
The ministry stated that federal teams are working to support the , sending humanitarian aid and assessing damage to release resources. The storms hit urban and rural areas, with a direct impact on housing, infrastructure and essential services, increasing the demand for emergency resources.
structural damage
In Paraíba, coastal and rural cities also reported losses, with families removed from risk areas. The governor (PP) declared a state of calamity.
In Pernambuco, municipalities in and in the Metropolitan Region of Recife recorded flooding, landslides and road closures.
The federal government declared that it is monitoring the situation and may recognize a state of emergency in the most affected municipalities, a measure that facilitates the transfer of funds and the contracting of emergency works.
In addition to the social impact, there are economic consequences. Small rural producers report crop losses and logistical difficulties, while local businesses face a drop in traffic in affected areas. Reconstruction must require additional resources from States and municipalities, with possible support from the Union through extraordinary transfers.
Civil defenses remain on alert for new episodes of intense rain. The federal government recommends that residents of risk areas seek guidance from local authorities and follow safety protocols.
