NEW : Portuguese military has dispatched special teams to assist with search and rescue efforts . NEW : Weather has substantially improved , civil defense official says . The mudslides and flooding caused substantial damage to roads and homes in the capital , Funchal , and in Ribeira Brava , which are both on the southern portion of the Atlantic island , which lies about 600 miles southwest of Portugal , Barbosa said . Was hit by heavy rain overnight , triggering mudslide that killed at least two . Unknown number of people , perhaps thousands , are missing , official told CNN .
NEW : Portuguese military has dispatched special teams to assist with search and rescue efforts . NEW : Weather has substantially improved , civil defense official says . Was hit by heavy rain overnight , triggering mudslide that killed at least two . Unknown number of people , perhaps thousands , are missing , official told CNN .