At least 40 people were confirmed to have died and 1,730 were displaced after heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, the National Civil Defence said on Monday, February 20.

The flooding hit the north coast of Sao Paulo on Saturday night and continued into Sunday, according to local news reports.

Tarcisio Gomes de Freitas, governor of Sao Paulo, declared a state of public calamity for 180 days in six municipalities affected by the floods. He also announced three days of mourning throughout the state, beginning on Monday.

This footage shows the destruction in Sao Sebastiao on February 19, captured from a helicopter by the region’s mayor, Felipe Augusto, and featuring Sao Paulo governor Tarcisio Gomes de Freitas.

The National Civil Defense said 600 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in some areas. Credit: Felipe Augusto via Storyful

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