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Flooding hits northwestern United States

By the CNN Wire Staff
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Dramatic flood rescue caught on tape
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: Emergency personnel urging residents to evacuate
  • Landslides shut down roads
  • KIRO: At least 1 person died in a storm-related accident

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(CNN) -- A number of residents in Oregon are still stranded Monday after heavy rains and rising waters caused landslides and washed away roads, authorities said.

The racing waters from the rising Sandy and Zig Zag rivers in Oregon swallowed parts of the Lolo Pass Road on Sunday, cutting off access to several nearby homes.

"Almost 150 to 250 people have been either stranded or forced out of their homes after floodwaters washed away Lolo Pass Road near Mount Hood, Oregon," said Tim Heider, Clackamas County public information officer.

"Residents in the area are now without electricity and telephone service, including cell phone service," he said.

Floods overrun Oregon homes

Emergency personnel have been going door-to-door in low-lying areas urging residents to evacuate.

Firefighters say at least two homes were washed away during the flooding that started Sunday night.

Flood warnings are still in effect for rivers in the northwest part of Oregon, according to the National Weather Service.

In Falls City, Oregon crews pulled a husband, wife and dog from rising floodwaters Sunday after the family got caught while trying to save their pet.

"We have a mess on our hands," said Dave Thompson of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Landslides had closed the Wilson River Highway, which stretches from Portland to the coast.

In western Washington, heavy rains sent water spilling over the banks of several rivers this weekend, and one death was blamed on the stormy weather.

A veteran Washington State Department of Transportation worker was killed late Sunday by a falling tree, CNN affiliate KIRO reported he was working to mark off the roadway where other debris had fallen due to the heavy rains.

Sections of three southwest Washington highways were closed due to mudslides, the department said. Most of the flooding in Washington is from the Snohomish and Snoqualmie Rivers.

The heavy rains are expected to taper off in parts of Washington state Monday. All rivers should crest by Monday evening and fall back below flood stage by Tuesday afternoon, according to affiliate KOMO.

CNN Radio's Greg Black contributed to this report.