Brazilian storm forces thousands flee

A powerful storm with winds of up to 60 miles per hour has slammed into southern Brazil. At least one person was killed and tens of thousands of others were forced from their homes.

Brazil's Civil Defense unit says a truck driver was killed after a tree fell on him in the Rio Grande do Sul state.

More than 50,000 people have had to leave their homes because of flooding and damage caused by the storm that began on Friday night.

A state of emergency has been declared in four cities after heavy rains flooded several homes.

The storm has not completely subsided and the number of people affected could increase.

Officials say the city of Ermo has suffered the worst. Forty families were moved out of their homes. Thousands of people sought refuge in local churches and gymnasiums.

One victim of flooding said "There was so much water and suddenly the water simply took everything."

Another victim of flooding said "The rain ruined everything. We barely had time to get out."

Meteorologists say the mix of wind and rain has led to waves up to five meters high. The impact has caused heavy flooding in Florianopolis as well. Extra-tropical storms are formed due to a low pressure system formed in the ocean.

Brazil's southern region is often affected by this phenomenon during its winter season, which usually begins in June.