in the wake of the massive flooding and mudslides there. and despair for thousands of families as the death toll keeps on rising. most of the casualties are in rio de janeiro state. that's northeast of the city of rio. rescuers still haven't reached some badly affected areas. hundreds of people are still at risk after the floods washed their homes away, leaving them clinging on dangerous river banks or mountain slopes. so far the government has confirmed more than 630 people have died. officials say that that number could go even higher. cnn producer helena demora is at the heart of one of the hardest hit areas of rio de janeiro. helena joins us now. give us an idea of what you've been seeing, helena, and what people are telling you. >> reporter: jane, we're actually not there yet because the roads are blocked. we are at the interstate 102 between rio de janeiro city and teresopolis. we were just told that half of the mountain with serious and