Update: Hundreds Missing in Brazil Floods

Dozens are dead and almost 1,000 people are missing after heavy rains triggered flooding in Brazil's northeast.         

A state of emergency has been declared across the poor region, as many are cut off and without electricity and water.             

This is the worst affected state, Alagoas, where 26 deaths have been reported and 60,000 have been forced to abandon their homes.             

In Pernambuco, 12 people died and 40,000 are homeless according to the civil defense.
  
Officials expect the death toll to rise.             

A rescue effort involving boats and helicopters is underway and the federal government has sent tons of food and water supplies to both states, while field hospitals and temporary shelters are set up in some towns.             

Brazil's northeast is normally relatively dry, but in some areas over 36 centimeters of rainfall was reported over the past three days.