At least 30 people have died in Brazil after heavy rains triggered flooding since Feb. 23, and search efforts are ongoing for 40 missing persons, authorities said on Tuesday.

The fire department in Minas Gerais state said the death toll in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Ubá had reached 30, adding that rescue teams were continuing search operations without interruption.

Authorities warned that more rain was expected and said a state of emergency remained in place, urging residents to stay away from high-risk areas, local media reported.

Governor Romeu Zema said the region was facing severe conditions, noting that rainfall recorded within a few hours was nearly equivalent to a full month’s average.