Two possibly killed in storms caused by atmospheric river in north-west US

Rivers swell to dangerous levels and forces road and rail closures as rain relieves parched states of Washington and Oregon

An atmospheric river deluged the US north-west for a third day on Tuesday, swelling rivers to dangerous levels, forcing road and rail closures, and possibly killing two people who may have been swept up in floodwaters, officials said.

The rain has helped relieve the parched states of Washington and Oregon, which missed much of the historic rain that fell on California a year ago and ended that state's extended drought. Much of Washington and Oregon still face severe or moderate drought, according to the US Drought Monitor.