More than 100 people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in the south Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul as the region grapples with historic flooding. The official count is that 113 people have been killed by the floods, and 230,000 people have lost their homes in Rio Grande do Sul, according to AP News. By May 10, the floods had impacted nearly two million people.
With entire cities underwater, several Brazilian surfers have answered the call for help. For the last few days, big wave maestros Lucas Chianca and Pedro Scooby have driven Jet Skis around city streets, dropping off supplies and literally saving entire families from the murky waters. World Champion Italo Ferreira has reportedly given $30,000 USD to aid victims by selling some of his boards online (and donating them).
Chianca was a 35-hour drive away in Espírito Santo when he heard what was happening last week. He made the trip anyway because (as any of his tow partners will tell you) that’s just who he is.
“When we started to hear about that, we just put our heart into the mission,” Chianca said. “Then Scooby gave us a call, asking if we’d seen what was happening in south Brazil. That’s when we said, let's go. Time to rescue lives.”
Chianca was with a team of 16 people who drove skis through water-logged neighborhoods. Given his reputation in just about every big-wave venue on the planet, few people have more experience saving people from extreme situations than the 28-year-old from Saquarema.
“Our team came in strong, putting all the experience from the big wave surfing and difficult water from Nazare and all the big-wave places,” Chianca said. “We were trying to save lives, just trying to help out everybody here.”
Below, Chianca and Pedro got an aerial view from a helicopter that captured just a glimpse of the devastation.
Our condolences go out to those affected by the tragedy. If you want to help, the outlet The Brazilian Report has listed several aid organizations helping those impacted. There’s the Brazil Foundation Luz Alliance Fund, a humanitarian and environmental conservation program started by Brazilian fashion model Gisele Bündchen. There’s also the Homeless Workers’ Movement’s Solidarity Kitchen Project, which aims to deliver 2,400 meals daily. CNN has a list of charities helping out here.
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