Tokyo, Oct 21, SPA -- Japan's deadliest storm in more than a decadeunleashed flash floods that washed away entire hillsides,killing up to 54 people and leaving at least 29 peoplemissing before it veered east into the Pacific Ocean onThursday. Rescue workers and Japanese troops worked round the clock,digging through mud and debris and combing flooded riversand coastal waters to search for the missing, Japanesemedia reported. Authorities said the storm's death toll wasthe highest since 1988. "The death toll is likely to keep rising, as we takestock of the damage," National Police Agency spokesmanKojun Chibana said. Typhoon Tokage blasted across Japan on Wednesday beforebeing downgraded to a tropical storm. Early Thursday, thestorm headed east to open seas, its fury spent.--SPA1512 Local Time 1212 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/212432