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US northwest hit by deadly storms US northwest hit by deadly storms
(about 1 hour later)
High winds and heavy rains have battered the northwest US, killing five people and leaving tens of thousands without power.High winds and heavy rains have battered the northwest US, killing five people and leaving tens of thousands without power.
Winds of 90mph (145km/h) and up to 11in (28cm) of rain in Oregon and Washington state have left behind flooded homes, fallen trees and washed-out roads.Winds of 90mph (145km/h) and up to 11in (28cm) of rain in Oregon and Washington state have left behind flooded homes, fallen trees and washed-out roads.
One Oregon town had to be evacuated after it was cut off by a landslide.One Oregon town had to be evacuated after it was cut off by a landslide.
The storm has weakened and moved north, but a state of emergency and flood warnings are in place in both states.The storm has weakened and moved north, but a state of emergency and flood warnings are in place in both states.
"The brunt of the storm has passed. We are transitioning from the response phase into the recovery phase," said Maj Mike Braibish, public information officer for the Oregon National Guard."The brunt of the storm has passed. We are transitioning from the response phase into the recovery phase," said Maj Mike Braibish, public information officer for the Oregon National Guard.
Highway closedHighway closed
The storms started over the weekend, and winds along the coast were equal to Category 1 hurricane winds.The storms started over the weekend, and winds along the coast were equal to Category 1 hurricane winds.
"I've never seen anything this bad here," said John McSwain, a police chief in Woodinville, Washington, who has lived in the suburbs of Seattle for 18 years."I've never seen anything this bad here," said John McSwain, a police chief in Woodinville, Washington, who has lived in the suburbs of Seattle for 18 years.
Washington's largest highway was covered with 10ft (3m) of muddy water and is expected to stay closed for days.Washington's largest highway was covered with 10ft (3m) of muddy water and is expected to stay closed for days.
The town of Vernonia, Oregon, had to be evacuated
In Seattle, where the storm was less severe, 4in (10cm) of rain fell during a 24-hour period on Monday.In Seattle, where the storm was less severe, 4in (10cm) of rain fell during a 24-hour period on Monday.
Vernonia, Oregon, a small city in the west of the state, was flooded after it received 11in (28cm) of rain.Vernonia, Oregon, a small city in the west of the state, was flooded after it received 11in (28cm) of rain.
National Guard troops used inflatable rafts to evacuate residents after the town was largely cut off by landslides.National Guard troops used inflatable rafts to evacuate residents after the town was largely cut off by landslides.
Nearly 75,000 customers lost power in Washington at the height of the storm.Nearly 75,000 customers lost power in Washington at the height of the storm.
In Oregon, Portland-based Pacific Power said about 36,000 customers had no electricity.In Oregon, Portland-based Pacific Power said about 36,000 customers had no electricity.
Three of the reported deaths happened in Washington, where one man died in a building hit by a mudslide.Three of the reported deaths happened in Washington, where one man died in a building hit by a mudslide.
Another died when a tree fell on him, and the third died when an electrical outage shut off his oxygen equipment, officials said.Another died when a tree fell on him, and the third died when an electrical outage shut off his oxygen equipment, officials said.
In Oregon, a 90-year-old woman died after suffering a heart attack as she was evacuated, and a lorry driver died after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters.In Oregon, a 90-year-old woman died after suffering a heart attack as she was evacuated, and a lorry driver died after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters.


Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the storms? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the storms? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
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