Floods and inundations are among the main types of natural disasters, often marked by intense rainfall of both short and long duration. Floods occur in many regions of the Earth and are intensified by environmental changes and anthropogenic interventions near rivers.

In 2008 and 2009, the municipality of Mossoró-RN experienced above-normal rainfall, drastically increasing the volume of water in the river that cuts through the city, the Apodi-Mossoró. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the socio-environmental damage that occurred in the city of Mossoró, especially in the community of the Ilha de Santa Luzia neighborhood, based on the Damage Assessment Report (AVANDAN) drawn up by the Municipal Civil Defense Coordination (CONDEC), as well as the perception of the people affected by the floods, since the neighborhood is located in a special riverside zone, and an area suitable for permanent preservation and restricted use, subject to flooding.

The scenario is aggravated by the lack of continuous preventive actions and only assistance actions during events. .