Severe Storm Causes Destruction Across Northwest U.S., Leading to Power Outages and Fatalities
By Hallie Golden and Lisa Baumann, Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) — A fierce storm, characterized as a “bomb cyclone,” has unleashed devastating winds and rainfall across the Northwest U.S., resulting in widespread power outages and the tragic death of at least one individual. The storm, which began affecting the region on Tuesday, is part of the strongest atmospheric river event so far this season, with hurricane-force wind warnings issued by the Weather Prediction Center.
In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman lost her life when a massive tree fell on a homeless encampment. The Seattle Fire Department reported instances of trees falling onto vehicles, trapping individuals temporarily but they were reported to be stable. Bellevue’s fire department urged residents to stay indoors and avoid windows due to the dangers presented by falling trees.
As of Wednesday morning, over 600,000 households in Washington State were without power, a figure that fluctuated due to complications stemming from internet outages affecting the reporting systems. Oregon reported over 15,000 outages, and nearly 19,000 were affected in California. Wind gusts were recorded at an astonishing 101 mph off the coast of Vancouver Island, with other areas experiencing gusts up to 79 mph.
Despite the chaos, the National Weather Service urged caution, advising residents to avoid exterior rooms during high winds and travel only when necessary. As the storm progresses, flood and high wind watches are in effect across parts of northern California, with predictions of significant rainfall, flash flooding, and snowfall in the Sierra Nevada region. The extreme weather conditions are expected to continue influencing the Pacific Northwest through the week, bringing more challenges for residents and emergency services alike.
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