Floods in Teresina-Piauí: a social-historical question

Abstract This paper approaches the phenomenon of floods as a social-historical question in Teresina-Piauí by examining the socio-spatial representations built and governmental actions to address the issue. The data source is based on information from local newspaper articles and official documents. The assumption is that floods and their impacts on the city are seen only as supernatural and/or natural disasters. These ideas have influenced the pattern of governmental actions undertaken, which are sometimes, implemented as clientelistic actions and sometimes with a technocratic bias. Thus, disregarding the political, social and historical aspects that surround the phenomenon.