Watch | Drone footage reveals destruction after mudslide rips through Atami in Japan

In the wake of heavy rains, a gush of mud swept away homes and cars in a resort town southwest of Tokyo and left at least two people dead and about 20 missing. Ten people were rescued and as many as 80 homes buried in Atami, where hundreds of firefighters, military troops and three coast guard ships worked from daybreak Saturday to try to reach those believed to be trapped or carried away by the mudslide.

The deluge crashed down a mountainside into rows of houses following heavy rains that began several days ago. Bystanders, their gasps of horror audible, caught the scene on cell phone video. Witnesses said they heard a giant roar and then watched helplessly as homes got gobbled up by the muddy waves.