Heavy rains kill 38 with 1000 still missing

Heavy rains in the northeastern states of Alagoas and Pernambuco have killed at least 38 people; authorities report that more than 1,000 others are missing and approximately 100,000 people have been displaced. Many cities in both states remain without water or power. In Alagoas, at least 26 people have been confirmed dead and more than 58,000 residents have been evacuated as a result of flooding and landslides. The most heavily affected cities are Zona da Mata de Alagoas, Uniao dos Palmares, Branquinha, Murici, Sao Jose da Laje, Santana do Mundau and the metropolitan area of Maceio, the regional capital. Pernambuco has also been significantly affected, with 12 confirmed fatalities and at least 42,000 evacuees across the state. The heaviest flooding has occurred in the cities of Barreiros, Palmares, Agua Preta, Barra de Guabiraba, Correntes, Cortes, Jaqueira, Sao Benedito do Sul and Vitoria de Santo Antao; Recife, the regional capital, has also been affected. The government has deployed rescue workers and other aid resources; however, many roadways and bridges have been washed out, limiting the government’s access to affected areas. There have been no reports of airport closures in either Pernambuco or Alagoas state, but travel to these areas should be avoided until the situation stabilizes.