Rio De Janeiro: Brazilian rescuers have continued searching for 600 people declared missing after heavy rains hit two states.
Officials in Alagoas state in Brazil's northeast said Wednesday that they still think most of the missing are safe.
The officials think the missing are cut off from the outside world by flooded roads, a lack of electricity and no working telephone service.
Civil defense officials say the number of known victims has risen by one to 42 people.
At least 120,000 were driven from their homes, but many have found shelter in schools, government buildings and with family.
The massive rains began last week and quickly dumped a month's worth of water on both Alagoas and neighboring Pernambuco state.
Some small towns were virtually wiped out by the deluge.
