Twenty-eight Reported Dead in Algeria Floods

ALGIERS, Algeria - Storms and floods have ravaged western Algeria over the past several days, leaving at least 28 people dead, national newspapers reported Wednesday.

The worst-hit area was Naama, 340 miles southwest of Algiers, where at least 17 people died. Residents of the rural area climbed onto roofs and into trees to escape rising muddy floodwaters, La Tribune newspaper reported.

The floods badly damaged crops, carried away cattle and cut off roads in the largely agricultural region. Though the rains had abated, security services remained on alert Wednesday.