Authorities in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo say at least 36 people have died as a result of severe flooding and landslides, forcing some cities to cancel their annual carnival celebrations.
The video shows neighborhoods under water, flooded motorways and houses left behind after being washed away.
Rescue teams are struggling to reach survivors and block roads.
More than 600mm (23.6 inches) of rain fell in some areas on Sunday, double the amount expected for the month.
“Search and rescue teams are not able to reach many places; it’s a chaotic situation,” said Felipe Augusto, mayor of the hard-hit town of Sao Sebastiao.
“We are yet to assess the extent of the damage. We are trying to rescue the victims.”
Mr. Augusto added that dozens were missing in the town and about 50 houses collapsed and washed away.
The state government reported at least 35 deaths in São Sebastião and the mayor of Ubatuba, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) to the northeast, said a young girl had died. Hundreds have been displaced and displaced.
“Unfortunately, we are going to have many more deaths,” a civil defense official told JEE News.
Meanwhile, authorities say another 228 people have been displaced, with 338 evacuated from coastal areas north of Sao Paulo.
A 180-day disaster was declared in six towns of the state: São Sebastião, Caraguatatuba, Ilhabela, Ubatuba, Guarujá and Bertioga.
The state’s governor, Tarcisio de Freitas, said he had released the equivalent of $1.5 million (£1.2 million) to help with disaster relief.
Carnival celebrations were canceled on the northern coastline, a popular destination for wealthy tourists looking to avoid the big street festivals in major cities.
The festival usually lasts five days in conjunction with the Christian festival of Lent, and the colorful celebrations are typical of Brazil.
Santos, Latin America’s largest port, was also closed as wind gusts exceeded 55 km/h (34 mph) and waves rose more than a meter, according to local media.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was spending the Carnival weekend in the northeastern state of Bahia, said he would visit the affected areas on Monday.
In a post on Twitter, he expressed his condolences to those who have lost loved ones and urged the authorities to provide health care, search for missing persons and restore transport and communication infrastructure. promised to bring
“We are going to bring together all levels of government and, with community solidarity, treat the injured, search for missing persons, restore highways, power connections and telecommunications in the region,” Mr. Da Silva wrote. Communication”. “My condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.”
He added that the entire federal government is “available and working to help with whatever is necessary and to join efforts with the government of São Paulo and City Hall to help the victims”.
More heavy rain is expected in the area, threatening to worsen conditions for emergency teams.
Extreme weather events such as floods are expected to become more common due to the effects of climate change.
Last year, more than 230 people were killed in torrential rains in the southeastern city of Petropolis.
