Thousands flee heavy flooding in Washington

Washington: Rain and high winds in Washington state have caused widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures.

More than 30,000 people have been told to leave their homes in a flood-endangered valley southeast of Tacoma. Fire trucks with loudspeakers rolled through suburban Orting advising everyone to leave the town and surrounding valley.

A National Weather Service forecaster in Seattle is predicting there will be a "memorable flood event."

Tacoma's mayor has declared a civil emergency because of flood risks.

Throughout the state, about 60 highways were closed, including every pass through the Cascade Range. A 20-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in southwestern Washington was also closed Wednesday evening.