A series of floods and mudslides took place in January 2011 in several towns of the Mountainous Region (Região Serrana), in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.

Casualties occurred in the cities of Nova Friburgo, Teresópolis, Petrópolis, Bom Jardim, Sumidouro and São José do Vale do Rio Preto.

[15] Acting governor Luiz Fernando Pezão sent reinforcements to the affected region and requested urgent federal assistance in machinery, helicopters and manpower.

[16] The Brazilian Navy and the Rio de Janeiro state government set up field hospitals to assist the victims and to support rescue workers.

[18] Analysts have commented that President Rousseff through her management of the crisis "passed... her first big test", but that the structural challenges that make certain (poverty-stricken) areas particularly hard hit in times of environmental disaster, still need to be addressed.