August : People used inflatable rafts or inner tubes to navigate submerged roads . Death toll rises to more than 500 . Police fear more will be dead in the flooding in Rio de Janeiro city . Bad weather curtailed police missions overnight , but they resume Friday . Chaos reigns in the hard - hit city of Teresopolis , where morgues are full .
August : Death toll rises to more than 500 . Police fear more will be dead in the flooding in Rio de Janeiro city . Bad weather curtailed police missions overnight , but they resume Friday . Chaos reigns in the hard - hit city of Teresopolis , where morgues are full .