19 Lives Lost in Devastating Floods and Landslides in Brazil

Brazilian authorities announced on Sunday that flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains killed at least 19 people in São Paulo state over the weekend. Filming from the city of San Sebastiao, broadcast on television and broadcast on social media showed entire neighborhoods flooded with water and debris, homes swept away via from the ground, flooded highways and auto destroyed by fallen trees, among other damages.

The state government said in a statement that 228 more people have become homeless and 338 people have been evacuated from the coastal area north of Sao Paulo, as rescue teams are working to help those affected by the storm.

Authorities have not provided a figure on the number of missing people.

Tarcisio de Freitas, governor of the state of São Paulo, declared a state of emergency in five cities along the coast.

San Sebastiao, 200km north of São Paulo and where many city residents spend the weekend, was one of the hardest hit, with 60cm of rain falling in 24 hours, according to local officials.

“We have not yet assessed the extent of the damage. We are trying to save the victims,” ​​Mayor Felipe Augusto said.

Extreme weather events fueled by climate change are taking a heavy toll in Brazil and last year torrential rains in Petropolis killed more than 230 people.