Due to heavy rainfall, the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas has declared a state of emergency in 29 cities.
The rains, which started on Friday, have impacted 16,000 people and resulted in one fatality.
Governor Paulo Dantas issued a 180-day “state of emergency” decree.
This decree is expected to expedite the bureaucratic processes needed to release funds and provide aid to the affected communities.
According to the latest report from the regional Civil Defense, 14,338 individuals were forced to leave their homes due to threats of flooding and landslides, while another 2,085 lost everything as a result of the rains.
Several communities have been cut off, with access only possible by boat or helicopter after multiple rivers overflowed.
In the municipality of Joaquim Gomes, one man lost his life after being swept away by the current.
The National Institute of Meteorology predicts that the rains will continue through Sunday across most of the state.