Argentina rains death toll up to 55, 20 missing

LA PLATA, Argentina (AP) — Provincial Gov. Daniel Scioli says 49 people have died in the flooded Argentine city of La Plata, where torrential rains swamped entire neighborhoods, washing away cars and flooding some houses to their rooftops.

The overall death toll is now 55, and more than 20 people are missing. Police dogs are searching for bodies.

Some stores were looted, but authorities say hundreds of police and troops helped guard neighborhoods overnight to prevent more crimes as much of the urban area of nearly 1 million people remained without power.

Priorities include preventing a public health emergency due to a lack of drinking water, plumbing and electricity, along with spoiled food, and widespread sewage. Scioli said Thursday that four mobile hospitals have been activated, and shelters were handing out water and clothing.