13 killed, 20 missing as cyclone hits southern Brazil

Authorities said on Sunday that a cyclone that tore across southern Brazil claimed the lives of a minimum of 13 people and displaced others from their homes.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul suffered damage on Thursday and Friday from torrential rain and strong winds, especially in Porto Alegre, the state's capital. This is the latest in a spate of weather-related catastrophes to strike South America's largest nation.

Thirteen people have died as a result of the storm, according to the state civil defense service, after two more bodies were found in the hardest-hit coastal town of Caraa.

After the number was reduced from Saturday's total of 20 to three, three people were still unaccounted for in Caraa on Sunday.

According to official statistics, the town of Tramandai was also severely affected, with wind speeds up to 101.9 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour) being recorded.

According to the local news outlets, which showed images of a car being blown into a graveyard by strong winds, a four-month-old infant is one of the casualties.

"The water came up to our waist inside the house. Thank God, the firemen arrived quickly and got us out on boats. It seemed like a nightmare," an anonymous woman said.

By helicopter, more individuals were rescued.

Over 84,000 people were without electricity on Sunday, and nearly 5,000 individuals had homes that were damaged. Around 80 people had been evacuated from high-risk regions by the authorities in advance.

On Saturday, along with government and emergency authorities, Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite flew over the worst-affected communities.

The governor went to a community center in Caraa where hundreds of people were staying since their homes had been destroyed by the storm.

"The situation in Caraa worries us deeply. It is essential that we can, in an integrated manner, quickly map the main affected areas and identify the people who need support," the governor said

Leite reported that over the previous two days, state firefighters had saved around 2,400 individuals.

"Our main objective at this moment is to protect and save human lives. Rescue people who are isolated, locate the missing, and support families," Leite said.