2 die in Northwest storms as residents brace for more rain

(AP) — While much of the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday got a respite from rains that have pummeled the region for days, mudslides and flooding rivers triggered multiple rescues and claimed the life of a woman after her car became submerged northwest of Portland, Oregon.

People who live along the Snoqualmie River in Washington state are used to waters cresting the banks but the storms that slammed the Pacific Northwest this week were more intense and destructive than the locals have seen in some time.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency, directing the Washington Military Department to coordinate state response activities.

Washington transportation officials closed all lanes of northbound Interstate 5, the state's busiest highway, in an area about 30 miles north of Portland Wednesday afternoon due to a slide that brought rocks and mud onto the road.

High water was a problem along the Oregon Coast, where pooling caused road closures, stranded cars and flooded neighborhoods.

Heavy damage from flooding led officials in Tillamook County to declare an emergency to free up funds for repairs, County Commission Chair Tim Josi said.