Mudslides Kill Five in Brazil

April 10, 2012; 5:38 AM
Share |
In this frame grab from video is seen an aerial view of a mudslide in Teresopolis, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 12, 2011. (AP Photo/TV Globo, Agencia O Globo)

Heavy rainfall recently in southeast Brazil has led to flooding problems and mudslides. Some of the hardest hit areas are northeast of Rio de Janeiro where more than 20 mudslides have been reported since Friday.

Areas in and around Teresopolis have experienced widespread river flooding and mudslides. Many residents had to flee their homes as flood waters flowed into the city.

Reports as of Sunday morning, indicate that at least five people have lost their lives while around 500 people have been affected by the mudslides in the region.

The rain fell so hard on Friday that the highway between Rio de Janeiro and Teresopolis had to be closed for several hours.

Flooding and mudslides are not uncommon in this part of Brazil. In January of 2011, heavy rainfall sparked flooding and mudslides that claimed over 900 lives.

Thunderstorms will be possible across the region early next week, however no prolonged heavy rainfall is expected.

Comments

Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

More Weather News

  • Northeast Memorial Weekend: Slow Improvement

    May 25, 2013; 6:41 PM ET

    The storm responsible for the wind, cold, rain and snow in the Northeast Friday and Saturday will slowly ease up for the balance of the holiday weekend.

  • Big Warmup Later Next Week Midwest, East

    May 25, 2013; 5:54 PM ET

    A few days after a chilly storm departs the Northeast, warm weather will make a strong comeback in parts of the Midwest and the East later next week.

  • Emotional Dog, Owner Reunions After Oklahoma Tornadoes

    May 25, 2013; 5:22 PM ET

    "This pup was literally singing when he saw his family," Michelle Karolicki, relocation program manager of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said about a reunion that took place on Thursday.

Daily U.S. Extremes

past 24 hours

  Extreme Location
High N/A
Low N/A
Precip N/A

WeatherWhys®

This Day In Weather History

New England (1967)
(25th-26th) Coastal New England battered by a great Nor'easter. Winds mounted to 70-80 mph on the coast. Blue Hill had sustained winds of 60 mph and Logan had sustained winds of 50 mph. Lowest pressure of 29.30" was measured over the ocean; 5-10" of snow fell in the Berkshires with considerable damage to the tobacco crop in the Connecticut River Valley. Temperature dropped to 31 degrees at Pittsfield on the 30th for a remarkable end of May freeze.

Erie, PA (1991)
One-half inch of rain fell in only 5 minutes.

Illinois (1917)
A tornado of long duration was observed for 7 hours and 20 minutes and was said to extend 293 miles. The storm struck Mattoon and Charleston, killing 70 people.