Brazilian civil defense officials report that at least 21 people have died and 82,000 have been driven from their homes by floods and mudslides in the country's northeast.
The Brazilian government is releasing more than $300 million in emergency aid for the states affected by the flooding.
Governors of the affected states met with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on Monday to request aid.
Officials say 17 of the dead drowned in the state of Paraiba, where 14,000 have become homeless.