Mudslides swept away homes in the mountains north of Rio De Janeiro Thursday, leaving survivors scrambling to reach those still trapped.

At least 350 people in Brazil have been killed since the slides hit about 3 a.m. Wednesday. At least 50 others are still missing.

"We were like zombies, covered in mud, in the dark, digging and digging" after the slides hit, said resident Geisa Carvalho.

Another 34 people had already died in floods and slides since Christmas in southeastern Brazil.

Rescuers are having a hard time reaching the affected areas, many of which have been completely wiped out.

Officials said Rio state towns received 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

Such disasters hit Brazil annually in its rainy summer season. Many of the country's poor live in shacks perched perilously on steep hillsides with little or no foundation.