Muristek
The official death toll following catastrophic flooding in Petropolis, north of Rio de Janeiro, rose rapidly on Wednesday, February 16, as authorities dug through mud and rubble in their search for victims. Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) said a record 259.8 mm (10.2 inches) of rain fell on Petropolis over 24 hours, far surpassing the previous record of 168.2 mm (6.6 inches), set in 1952. Shortly after noon on Wednesday, the National Civil Defense said at least 56 people had died. Soon after, however, Globo reported that city officials had raised the number to 66. Mayor of Petropolis Rubens Bomtempo announced an official three-day period of mourning. This footage from the Federal Highway Police shows a damaged vehicle that had been swept away in floodwaters. Other videos shot by residents during the floods showed muddy, fast-moving waters carrying cars, trees, and other debris down steep roadways in the city. In one area of the city, Alta de Serra, at least 80 hillside homes were damaged by a landslide caused by the collapse of a barrier, Globo reported. Credit: PRF Brasil via Storyful
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