Rain-fed landslides, flooding kill at least 19 in Brazil

Landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains killed at least 19 people in Brazil's largest state Sunday, while high waters forced some 500,000 families from their homes over the weekend.

Three people from the same family died when a landslide destroyed their house in the city of Embu das Artes, according to the municipal government, while four other people were rescued by firemen.

Four children died in Francisco Morato, Sao Paulo state Gov. João Doria said, and the state government reported other deaths in Franco da Rocha.

Three of the deaths involved people who were swept away by flood waters, according to the state fire department. Doria used a helicopter to survey damaged areas on Sunday and announced the equivalent of $2.8 million in financial aid to affected cities.

Southeastern Brazil has been punished with heavy rains since the start of the year, with 19 deaths recorded in Minas Gerais state earlier this month.