Florianópolis, Brazil—The water rose without warning early Saturday. A sudden flash flood swept through a low-lying community in Santa Catarina. Two people died as the deluge overwhelmed local drainage systems.

The storm began late Friday night. Rain intensity increased steadily until the early morning hours. Slopes became saturated and gave way. Mud and debris entered residential streets at high velocity.

Civil Defense teams arrived before dawn. They initiated search and rescue operations in the hardest-hit sectors. The current remains dangerous for small boats. Rescuers are using heavy equipment to move fallen trees.

The victims were caught inside their homes. The structural damage was too severe for them to evacuate in time. Officials confirmed the deaths after recovering the bodies at midday.

Local shelters are now housing hundreds of displaced residents. The power grid suffered major disruption across the municipality. Utility workers are trying to restore lines in the mud-clogged areas.

Meteorologists suggest the rainfall exceeded monthly averages in six hours. They warn of secondary landslides in the surrounding hills. Residents have been told to stay away from the riverbanks.

The governor declared a state of emergency for the region. Federal support is currently being coordinated. Resource distribution will continue throughout the night.

The rain continues to fall intermittently. Authorities remain on high alert for further flooding. The search for the missing persists until conditions force a halt.