With the start of the rains on Monday throughout Rio Grande do Sul in the south of the country, over 80,000 people had to leave their houses.
People were observed standing up to their shoulders in muddy water in the town of Canoas on Saturday, waiting to be hauled to safety.
In less than a week, 11.8 inches (30 cm) of rain had poured in some sections of the state.
Additionally, the Brazilian Geological Service reports that water levels in some cities are at their highest points in 150 years.
According to the government, this was the worst flooding the state has seen in almost 80 years.
Eduardo Leite, the governor of the state, declared on Sunday that the destruction we are experiencing is unparalleled.
