Floods hit Brazil WCup city Natal before US game

RIO DE JANEIRO — Officials in the World Cup host city of Natal have declared a flood alert ahead of the U.S. team's debut match against Ghana in the northeastern Brazilian city.

Natal's City Hall declared the alert late Saturday, following two days of near-continuous rains that reached the area's average for the entire month of June. More rains are expected throughout Sunday.

The U.S.-Ghana match is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

The statement from Natal's City Hall says no deaths or injuries have been reported in the flooding, but residents of two buildings were evacuated as a precaution. Local news reports showed images of a huge crater in a residential street.

The southern Brazilian regions of Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul have also been hit by recent flooding.

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