Death toll rises to nearly 600 in Brazil flooding

In Brazil's state of Rio de Janeiro, heavy rains have led to severe flooding and mudslides, primarily in the cities of Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo, where 591 people have been confirmed dead.  There is fear that this number will continue to rise as the rain continues to fall in some areas that have already been submerged, so authorities are evacuating families living in particularly dangerous areas, such as on mountain sides and river banks.  Newly elected female President Dilma Rousseff visited the disaster area on Thursday and many Brazilians view this as her first major test as president.  Brazil, which is often criticized for its lack of disaster planning, is also under immense pressure from the international community to handle this disaster with a strong response as they are set to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games. 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/01/15/brazil.flooding/index.html

Mark Zajac