Floods leave dozens dead in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Nearly four dozen people were killed and some 20,000 homes destroyed in floods that devastated the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.

Officials said Monday the death toll would surpass 50 as rescue workers sift through the wreckage of the flooding that started with heavy rains during the weekend, O Globo reported.

Four cities were reportedly hit particularly hard by the flooding, washing out roads and making it difficult for authorities to bring in relief supplies or rescue workers.

Aid is being sent in to some cities by helicopter, Brazil's state news agency reported.