Canadian mudslide leaves one dead

The landslide left some houses standing - but wiped out others

Floods and mudslides in western Canada have killed one person and forced hundreds more from their homes.

A state of emergency has been declared near the city of Vancouver, where heavy rains have waterlogged the landscape.

A BBC correspondent says Vancouver, a famously rainy city, has been soaked with almost 30cm (12in) of rain in 48 hours.

Further inland, a river spilled its banks, forcing some residents to climb onto their roofs for safety.

The hillside beneath the comfortable suburb of North Vancouver gave way on Wednesday, sweeping two houses and tons of rock, trees and mud downhill.

One woman was killed and her husband was found in the debris, critically injured.

More rain expected

More than 70 homes in the area have been evacuated, because scientists warn more land could easily give way.

The provincial government of British Colombia has promised financial aid.

In the province's interior, helicopters had to pluck people from their rooftops after their homes were flooded.

Major highways are closed and many roads are flooded, making travel slow and difficult.

BBC correspondent Ian Gunn says things could still get worse.

The weather forecast for Vancouver is warning of unusually heavy rain for another day at least, he says.