Eleven people died and 20 others are still missing after a hurricane hit Brazil’s far south between Thursday and Friday, the local government said on Saturday.
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“According to the state Sub-Prefecture of Protection and Civil Protection, 11 people died as a result of the cyclone,” the government of the state of Rio Grande du Sud, which borders Uruguay and Uruguay, said in a statement.
Eighteen people are still missing in Caraa and two in Tres Forquilhas, two towns in the east of the region, the statement said.
For prevention, 602 residents were evacuated from risk areas. In total, the homes of 2,330 people were damaged.
State Governor Eduardo Leite traveled to the most affected areas by helicopter on Saturday, particularly accompanied by relief workers.
In Caraa, a community center has been converted into a hostel to house hundreds of victims.
“We are very concerned about the situation in Caraa. It is fundamental that we can […] Quickly map key affected areas and identify those in need of assistance,” Leite said in the statement.
According to him, state firefighters have already come to the aid of 2,400 people in the cyclone-hit areas.
“Our primary goal, first of all, is to protect and save lives. We rescue isolated people, locate missing people and provide assistance to families,” said Mr. Leite.