Landslide danger increases as mild, wet weather continues; flooding intensifies (PHOTOS)

SEATTLE (AP) — The National Weather Service says days of heavy rainfall have increased the threat of landslides in western Washington as at least one small neighborhood was inundated with flooding Friday.

Rains that began midweek are forecast to continue through the weekend, putting extra pressure on steep hillsides and unstable bluffs for days — even after rainfall ends.

The Weather Service says a record 1.03 inches of rain fell Thursday at Sea-Tac Airport, breaking the record of .96 set in 1961. And a record 2.1 inches fell at Quillayute Airport on the coast, breaking the old record for the date of 1.35 inches set in 1999.

A landslide approximately 10 feet long and 5 feet high was reported around 1 a.m. Friday near Brinnon in Jefferson County, officials said. No homes were damaged by mud, but three people were rescued from flooding nearby. It was unknown what caused the floods, or if anyone was injured.

Jefferson County Emergency Management spokeswoman Keppie Keplinger tells the Peninsula Daily News swift water rescue teams are going door-to-door to homes on Kelly Road, which was partially blocked by a mudslide.

The National Weather Service is warning or watching for flooding on several rivers in western Washington including the Elwha, Dungeness, Bogachiel, Nooksack, Skagit and Stillaguamish.

An atmospheric river blowing into the Northwest also brings mild temperatures and a high snow level. The 60 degrees Thursday at Bellingham Airport tied the record.

Forecasters say the weather should turn drier Tuesday in Washington.