Rio Acre Floods Affect 4,000 Residents in Rural Communities

An atypical flood event struck Rio Branco in late December, severely impacting rural areas along the Rio Acre. According to data from the Municipal Civil Defense, approximately 4,000 residents across 16 communities were affected by the rising waters. The event resulted in significant isolation for at least five of these communities.

Financial and environmental damages have been substantial. Initial assessments place the total losses at over R$3 million. The flooding was driven by record rainfall in the region, marking a historical anomaly for the month of December.

Water levels fluctuated rapidly throughout the week. The river first exceeded the alert level on December 27, reaching a peak of 15.41 meters on December 29. By January 3, the water level had receded to 11.94 meters, allowing for the restoration of access to previously isolated areas.

The flood event began on December 27, when the Rio Acre surpassed the alert level and began to overflow, registering 14.03 meters. The situation escalated quickly over the next 48 hours. By Monday, December 29, the water level reached a high of 15.41 meters.

The waters began to recede on Tuesday, December 30. After five days of decline, the river left the 14-meter mark on Thursday, January 1. By Saturday, January 3, the level in the capital stood at 11.94 meters and continued to drop.

Historical context provided by officials indicates that this was a highly unusual event. The Rio Acre had not overflowed in the month of December since 1975. The Municipal Civil Defense attributed the situation to the rainiest December ever recorded in the region.

The flooding caused severe disruption to local agriculture and housing. Rural producer Francisco de Assis described the rapid onset of the floodwaters, which left little time for protective measures. He reported the total loss of his crops due to the speed of the rising water.

Speaking to media outlets, Assis stated, "Não deu pra fazer muita coisa, perdemos todas as nossas plantações, por que não tinha o que fazer" (There wasn't much we could do, we lost all our plantations, because there was nothing to be done).

The damage assessment covered a wide range of losses, from agricultural fields to residential structures. The impact extended beyond the immediate rural communities, contributing to a broader state of emergency declaration for the area.

As the waters receded, the Defesa Civil de Rio Branco (Municipal Civil Defense) mobilized to support the affected population. Residents were no longer isolated and were reached by city hall teams providing essential supplies.

Recovery efforts included the distribution of specific aid packages. The assistance provided to residents consisted of:

• Cleaning kits
• Hygiene products
• Mattresses
• Food supplies
• Boats for the crossing of people and light vehicles

Lieutenant Colonel Cláudio Falcão, the coordinator of the agency, addressed the financial toll on local producers. He confirmed that humanitarian aid would be deployed to address these material losses. "A gente sabe que teve prejuízos materiais, por isso, vamos entrar com uma ajuda humanitária para ajudar esses produtores," Falcão said (We know there were material losses, therefore, we are going to provide humanitarian aid to help these producers).

The floodwaters impacted a total of 16 distinct rural communities within the capital region. These areas faced varying degrees of impact, ranging from water intrusion to complete isolation.

The specific communities listed as affected include:

• Água Preta
• APA do Amapá
• Boa Água
• Barro Alto
• Vai-Se-Ver
• Espalha Bagaço
• Extrema
• Projeto Oriente Colibri
• Limoeiro
• Catuaba
• Belo Jardim 3
• Panorama
• Ribeirinho
• Vista Alegre
• Liberdade

While these rural communities were hit hard, reports indicate that the broader impact in Rio Branco included 15 neighborhoods, approximately 300 flooded residences, and 237 people displaced from their homes.