MEXICO CITY, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least five people died and nine others went missing following flash floods in Periban, a town in west-central Mexico's state of Michoacan, local authorities said on Monday.

A torrential downpour on Sunday afternoon led the local Cutio River to overflow, flooding surrounding streets and homes, and sweeping away vehicles.

According to the state civil protection agency, two adults and three minors were among the victims. They have yet to be identified.

Rescue workers are also looking for nine people who have been reported missing, the coordinator of civil protection, Pedro Carlos Mandujano, told the state-run Michoacan Radio and Television System.

Soldiers and police officers joined rescue workers to help sweep away debris from homes and streets in Periban, located 180 km from the state capital Morelia.

Floodwaters reached 1.5 meters in some areas, the army said in a statement.

State Gov. Silvano Aureoles toured the town early in the day to assess the damage, and an emergency shelter was set up for the homeless.?