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| A fallen tree splits a house in Southeast Portland (Portland Fire & Rescue/USA Today). |
Governor Jay Inslee has declared weather emergency in Washington after heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides across the western part of the state.
Flood waters have closed several sections of Oregon highways in Clatsop, Tillamook, Marion, Yamhill and Lincoln counties.
A 60-year-old woman died in Oregon early Wednesday morning after a tree fell onto her house, USA Today reported.
“There are people in need across Southwest Washington and the rest of the state and we’re here to provide whatever assistance the local communities require. We’re in this together.”
Governor Inslee said in a press release.
Some of the most severe flooding has taken place in Cowlitz, Lewis and Snohomish counties. Red Cross shelters are now open in Naches, Longview, and Packwood, and a service center is established in Snohomish, Inslee said.
Around 17,000 customers are without power, mostly in Puget Sound Energy's coverage area.
The State Emergency Operations Center was activated at a Phase III level on Wednesday morning in response to severe weather conditions occurring throughout Washington State.
Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza says it's the worst flooding his county has seen since 2007.