Rains in RS: residents report despair and 'horror movie' with floods

Rio Grande do Sul has at least 385 municipalities affected by major flooding, caused by heavy rains that hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul since the beginning of last week. The state capital, Porto Alegre, and Canoas, the largest satellite city in the metropolitan region, have neighborhoods completely taken over by water.

With residents having to abandon their homes and belongings, reports made to CNN they are of desolation, sadness and fear.

“It's a horror movie”

Cristiane Malinski, resident of Canoas, had to leave her home. In an interview with CNN , she spoke about the calamitous situation she has been going through. “It looks like a horror movie, there are a lot of people that have to be saved, a lot of animals. Don’t stop sending help, for God’s sake,” she reported.

Despite being safe at the moment, she says her family has lost everything. “We saw a lot, it’s Horror Movie It is unbelievable It is inexplicable . We saw many, many animals,” she said, excited.

Cristiane appealed for more people to get involved in the solidarity and humanitarian aid network. “I ask from the bottom of my heart that you have compassion, there are a lot of people, certainly, there are a lot of animals,” he said. She also highlighted the importance of coordinating efforts to help reach where it is most needed.

The resident praised the solidarity among Canoas residents themselves, with neighbors helping each other, even without knowing each other. However, she highlighted that more external help is still needed to assist all victims and animals at risk.

Fear of looting and shortages

Residents of Rio Grande do Sul still face difficulties after the heavy rains that hit the state last week. In an interview with CNN , nurse Vânia Gonçalves reported the chaotic situation in Canoas, a city in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. Gonçalves said that, initially, she evacuated the area with her children, but decided to return to help the residents and avoid withdrawals from your home .

According to the nurse, many families are afraid to leave their homes due to the looting taking place in the region. “I returned home, because it’s chaos there, it’s chaos. And the volunteers are tireless,” she reported.

Gonçalves highlighted the lack of water and food in shelters . “The shelters also need water, there is no more water, there is more water to drink, water,” she said. Furthermore, she mentioned the need for medical care for volunteers and residents who had contact with polluted water.

The nurse made an appeal for humanitarian aid. “We need help, guys, we still need help in any way you can help, supplies, water, water, please, water”, she asked. She also highlighted that she no longer has any clothes or belongings, leaving only “the clothes on her back”.

Despite the dramatic situation, Gonçalves demonstrated determination to help others. “I have the desire, I have health, I hope that people become aware of what is happening and come to help us”, he concluded.

Desperate escape

Businessman Jefferson de Paula, resident of Canoas, reported the desperate situation that people are facing due to the heavy rains that hit the region. Sheltering in his son's house because he lost everything, Jefferson described the scene as a “war”. “It’s fear, insecurity, sadness. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, when the water will recede. It’s pretty complicated,” he said.

He said that when he realized the danger of flooding, he took his wife and daughter and went to his son's house, who lives in a dry area of ​​the city. He later returned to get the dogs, but his residence was already partially submerged.

“The water took over very quickly. When we turned back, she had already reached one more block,” she reported. Jefferson stated that his house was completely submerged and he believes he won't be able to use anything.

According to the businessman, some people did not believe that the water would rise so much and stayed in their homes. When they could no longer get out, they went up to the roofs, shouting, banging pans and using flashlights to call for help. “It’s a very terrifying, heartbreaking scene,” he described, emotionally.

He also mentioned cases of people throwing themselves into the water to try to swim and reports of missing people on social media. “It’s very difficult to see this situation,” lamented Jefferson.