Unusually heavy rains in southeastern Brazil have killed at least 22 people and forced over 46,000 people to flee their homes, according to state government reports on Wednesday. Hardest hit have been the state of Minas Gerais, with 16 confirmed deaths, and the state of Espirito Santo, with 6 confirmed deaths. More than 46,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Espirito Santo, and more than 700 are homeless in Minas Gerais, as more than 5,000 of the total are seeking refuge in state shelters, according to the respective state governments. Espirito Santo has had the most rainfall since record-taking began 90 years ago, and the state government has declared a state of emergency. President Dilma Rousseff traveled to Espirito Santo, where she promised to help all those in need. Rousseff said the federal government would provide the resources needed to rescue people, save lives, and provide shelter for families that have fled from their homes.
