Brasileia creates crisis committee and thinks about projects for the post-flood of the Acre River

The Acre River, which runs through Brasileia, in Acre, reached historic levels and left around 70% of the city flooded. The level is 15.58 meters, surpassing the mark recorded in 2015, which was 15.55 meters.

The city is the most affected by the flood so far.

At least 12 neighborhoods out of a total of 14 were affected by the flood. There are 3,128 families displaced, 14,980 people affected. According to the mayor of the municipality, Fernanda Hassen (PT), there are 16 official shelters and 319 families sheltered. “We have more than 50 residences that have become a kind of shelter, opening their homes to welcome family and friends,” she explains.

In rural areas, the catastrophe spreads. There are 617 families affected. “Previously, in other flood episodes, only the urban area had been affected. This time, the episode took place in rural areas, so it practically moved the logistics of the entire city, which stopped to provide assistance to the victims, people affected”, said the mayor.

The José Augusto Metal Bridge, which connects the city to Epitaciolândia, a neighboring municipality, was also closed last Sunday (25).

Civil Defense reported that there is no way to reach the city by land, and that residents are moving to safe points with boats. Rescue and assistance work for people is also carried out using boats.

All classes were suspended in the city. “Regarding our schools, all classes were suspended because schools became shelters, both municipal and state schools”, explains the mayor.

The hospital is at the top. “This hospital is regional and serves four municipalities, but as it is located in the upper part, it was not affected and continues to operate normally. The Kidney Clinic, which serves patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, was hit by the flood and around 27 patients had to be transported to the municipality of Xapuri to continue with care”, he says.

There are residents of some neighborhoods in the city who refuse to leave their homes, even when it's flooded. Around 300 people remain in their homes in the Leandro Barbosa neighborhood. “We are bringing food to these people (…) the neighborhood is completely covered in water and we can only get there by boat,” said the mayor.

The city hall prepared a crisis committee to demand actions to be able to serve the population and to think about post-flood actions. “We need to have concrete projects to make this change in the city so that the lower part becomes a historical part and for ferry rides, but we need to build the upper part, because it has become a reality. It’s something that practically happens every year”, says the mayor.

The governor of Acre, Gladson Cameli, visited the municipality this Wednesday (28) and requested that the secretary of state remain in the city to help with joint actions between the state and the city. He brought water and donations to help the municipality.