Massive flooding sweeps away homes in Colombia, killing more than a dozen

Residents look for survivors after and avalanche in Salgar, in Colombia's northwestern state of Antioquia, Monday, May 18, 2015. The avalanche of mud and debris roared down Salgar before dawn, killing at least 49 people in a flood and mudslide triggered by heavy rains. Survivors barely had enough time to gather their loved ones. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides) (The Associated Press)

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Bodies of victims of an avalanche are carried on the back of a fire fighters vehicle in Salgar, in Colombia's northwestern state of Antioquia, Monday, May 18, 2015. The avalanche of mud and debris roared down the town of Salgar before dawn, killing at least 49 people in a flood and mudslide triggered by heavy rains. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides) (The Associated Press)

A man looks at houses damaged during an avalanche in Salgar, in Colombia's northwestern state of Antioquia, Monday, May 18, 2015. At least 49 people were killed when a mudslide triggered by heavy rains swept away homes before dawn. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides) (The Associated Press)

BOGOTA, Colombia – Disaster relief authorities are rushing to a Colombian town where more than a dozen people have been reported killed when a flash flood swept away ramshackle homes in the dead of night.

The massive flooding triggered by heavy rains early Monday in the town of Salgar.

Media reports say 500 people lived in the path of the ravine that broke its bank and as many as 45 people had been killed. Authorities on the scene have not yet issued a report of casualties.

President Juan Manuel Santos ordered authorities to provide immediate assistance to those affected.

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