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8 Killed, 19 Missing After Severe Storm in Southern Brazil

by Associated Press

   Sao Paulo, Brazil --

   Authorities in the southern Brazil state of Rio Grande do Sul said
   Saturday that eight people died and 19 others were missing after a
   winter storm swept through the region.

   Gov. Eduardo Leite said that one of those killed was a 4-month-old
   baby, who died before rescuers were able to get there. Fatalities were
   registered in seven cities.

   "This first moment, since Thursday night until now, is especially to
   protect human lives, support and rescue people," Leite said at a news
   conference Saturday with other authorities.

   Two ministers from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government
   traveled to the state to show support and arrange investments for Rio
   Grande do Sul and cities facing a critical situation. They will also go
   to neighboring Santa Catarina state, which was also hit by the floods.

   Firefighters performed 2,400 rescues across the 35 cities at Rio Grande
   do Sul hit by the tropical storm.

   Several roads were still blocked in Rio Grande do Sul, flights to the
   state's main cities were canceled throughout Friday and electricity was
   out across the state.

   According to Leite, state agents are inspecting the damaged roads and
   bridges to see if any access can be reestablished to the most affected
   areas.

   Mayors of cities that were affected said twice as much rain fell in 24
   hours than would normally be expected for the entire month of June.

   The mayor of Maquine said on his social media channels that
   precipitation in his city surpassed 29.4 centimeters in one day.

   Experts said the storm was an extratropical cyclone, a type of weather
   system that most often occurs in middle and high latitudes rather than
   in the tropics.