Rain Brings Risk Of Floods, Roof Cave-ins In Wash.

SEATTLE (AP) - While parts of Washington state are still trying to shed their layers of snow, forecasters are warning a new storm system could bring heavy rain, high winds and rising temperatures.

That will raise the risk of avalanches in the mountains, mudslides at lower elevations and flooding and roof cave-ins over the next couple of days.

Already, rain is falling at a rate of about an inch per hour over the Cascade Mountains and foothills. And the National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for 10 counties and a handful of rivers.

Transportation officials say avalanches shut down all but one lane on U.S. 2 across Stevens Pass through the Cascades.

High winds closed Interstate 82 between Yakima and Ellensburg in central Washington and wind warnings are posted for much of the state.

As many as 200 members of the Washington National Guard are helping remove snow in the Spokane area.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.