Daring rescue from Brazil deluge

A Brazilian woman is pulled to safety from a raging flash flood, as the country tries to cope with one of the worst natural disasters in decades.

Neighbors on a nearby rooftop toss her a rope, as she grabs her dog and plunges into the torrent.

As the woman is pulled to safety, the dog is swept from her arms.

This was the scene in a small town some 70 miles north of Rio de Janeiro, as the country faces one of its worst natural disasters in decades.Around the region, flash floods and landslides have left a death toll of over 500 in their wake.

In nearby Teresopolis relatives of missing flood victims gather outside a local morgue, waiting for word on their loved ones.

One woman fainted when showed pictures of her deceased relatives.

A morgue worker says it's a common reaction.

UNIDENTIFIED MORGUE WORKER, SAYING:

"Some of the photos are unrecognizable and when they get emotional, some relatives aren't recognizing their own family members."

Hundreds of homeless also crowd a school, escaping what one flood victim said was a disaster similar to a war zone.

Officials expect the death toll to rise as emergency workers reach remote areas, and more heavy rain is expected in the coming days.

Meanwhile, funerals for the dead are now being held.

Residents take a moment to remember the deceased, before turning their focus towards an uncertain future.

David Botti, Reuters