Deadly landslide struck near the town of Oso, US state of Washington

A major landslide caused by recent heavy rain destroyed six houses and covered a road near the town of Oso on Saturday, about 90 km (55 miles) north of Seatle in the north-western American state of Washington. 43 people have been killed.

Authorities said landslide was at least 41 m wide and 54 m deep.

Search and rescue help came from across the state, including the Washington State Patrol and the Army Corps of Engineers.

An eyewitness told the Daily Herald everything was gone in three seconds.

Photos provided by the Washington State Patrol show floodwaters and sprawling debris covering a rural patch of two-lane road, framed by woodlands and snow-capped mountains.

#530slide update: Cries for help still heard in fatal mudslide near Oso – http://t.co/1qnaU3ACoZ pic.twitter.com/LvRKLcExic

— KOMO News (@komonews) March 23, 2014

Aerial photo showing extensive damage of the #530slide that took out a chunk of earth. Story: http://t.co/wQaaLhKdpU pic.twitter.com/ScyMff3fb9

— Marcus Yam (@yamphoto) March 23, 2014

More rain is expected in parts of Washington on Sunday. The county said "we strongly recommend" that those living in the north fork of the Stillaguamish River flood plain, from Oso to Stanwood, to "evacuate your home immediately."

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Featured image: YT video screenshot