Powerful storms dump heavy rain and swell rivers across US Pacific north-west

Crews conduct high-water rescues in Washington, and flood watches put in effect along coast down to Oregon

A series of powerful storms hit the Pacific north-west, dumping heavy rain, swelling rivers, closing roads and prompting high-water rescues in several states.

An unusually strong storm system called an atmospheric river is passing through the region, bringing heavy rainfall across western Washington and north-western Oregon and more than a foot of snow in the northern Rockies and north-western Wyoming.