Torrential rain, floods in Rio leave 58 dead
RIO DE JANEIRO — Authorities in Rio de Janeiro say 58 people have died in the mudslides and flash floods that followed torrential rain overnight.
People walk on a flooded street at Vila Itaim neighborhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011. Brazilian authorities say heavy rains have triggered mudslides and floods in southeastern Brazil, killing at least 13 people. Sao Paulo state civil defense officials say 11 people died when their houses collapsed because of mudslides and two were killed in flash floods. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)The mayor of the mountain town of Teresopolis just north of Rio says in a statement Wednesday that 48 people died, and more than 1,000 have been left homeless.
Civil defense officials for Rio state say eight died in the neighboring town of Nova Friburgo, including four firefighters. An elderly couple died in Petropolis.
The death count is expected to rise officials reach the steep mountain flanks and washed-out valleys in the region.
Rio's governor Sergio Cabral says he's called on the navy to lend helicopters to rescue workers.
