The Pacific Northwest is reeling in the wake of a devastating bomb cyclone that has left a trail of destruction across northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The powerful storm system, fueled by an atmospheric river, has unleashed torrential rain, heavy snow, and damaging winds, claiming at least two lives and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
Deadly Storm Leaves Region Battered
According to local authorities, two people have been killed by falling trees as the storm battered the region. In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman lost her life when a large tree crashed down on a homeless encampment. Another woman in Bellevue met a similar fate when a tree fell on her home. These tragic incidents underscore the storm’s ferocity and the danger posed by falling debris.
Flash Flooding and Landslides Threaten Communities
The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco, warning of the potential for flash flooding and rockslides. In northern California, some areas have already experienced heavy rain, with Santa Rosa seeing about 5 inches within a 24-hour period. The deluge has led to slick roads, ponding water, and snow-covered mountain passes, making travel treacherous.
“We’re seeing mudslides, road closures, and extremely hazardous conditions out there,”
said a spokesperson for the California Department of Transportation.
With up to 16 inches of rain forecast in northern California and southwestern Oregon through Friday, the risk of dangerous flash flooding, rockslides, and debris flows remains high. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay alert and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Snow, Wind Compound Misery
In addition to the rain, heavy snow has blanketed the Cascades, with the storm dumping more than a foot of snow in some areas. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet, where up to 15 inches of snow could fall over two days. High winds, with gusts potentially topping 75 mph, are expected to create blizzard-like conditions and near-impossible travel at pass level.
The combination of snow and wind has also led to numerous school closures across western Washington, with some districts opting to extend the closures through Thursday as the storm continues to batter the region.
Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
As the bomb cyclone continues to pummel the Pacific Northwest, residents are advised to stay informed about local conditions and heed any evacuation orders or warnings issued by authorities. With more rain and snow in the forecast, the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and power outages remains high.
While the region is no stranger to powerful storms, the intensity and duration of this bomb cyclone have left many residents struggling to cope with the aftermath. As communities begin the long process of cleaning up and recovering, the full extent of the damage is likely to become clearer in the coming days and weeks.
For now, those in the hardest-hit areas are focusing on staying safe and supporting one another through this difficult time. As one resident put it:
“We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ll weather this one too. It’s going to take time, but we’ll rebuild and come back stronger.”
As the Pacific Northwest braces for the next wave of the bomb cyclone’s fury, that spirit of resilience will be more important than ever.
As the bomb cyclone continues to pummel the Pacific Northwest, residents are advised to stay informed about local conditions and heed any evacuation orders or warnings issued by authorities. With more rain and snow in the forecast, the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and power outages remains high.
While the region is no stranger to powerful storms, the intensity and duration of this bomb cyclone have left many residents struggling to cope with the aftermath. As communities begin the long process of cleaning up and recovering, the full extent of the damage is likely to become clearer in the coming days and weeks.
For now, those in the hardest-hit areas are focusing on staying safe and supporting one another through this difficult time. As one resident put it:
“We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ll weather this one too. It’s going to take time, but we’ll rebuild and come back stronger.”
As the Pacific Northwest braces for the next wave of the bomb cyclone’s fury, that spirit of resilience will be more important than ever.
The storm’s high winds have wreaked havoc on the region’s power infrastructure, leaving more than 330,000 customers without electricity in Washington state alone. Utility crews are working around the clock to restore power, but the extent of the damage means that some residents may be in the dark for days.
“We haven’t had a storm like this since January of 2012,”
said Mary Kipp, president of Puget Sound Energy, which serves over 1.2 million electric customers in Washington.
In California, approximately 16,000 power outages have been reported as of Thursday morning, further compounding the misery for those affected by the storm.
Travel Disruptions Mount
The bomb cyclone’s impact on travel has been significant, with hundreds of flights delayed and dozens canceled at San Francisco International Airport. On the roads, treacherous conditions have led to numerous accidents and closures. In northern California, only 50 vehicles an hour are being allowed through a stretch of northbound Interstate 5 due to snow.
Farther north, rough winds and seas have temporarily halted ferry service between Port Townsend and Coupeville in northwestern Washington, further disrupting travel in the region.
Residents Urged to Stay Vigilant
As the bomb cyclone continues to pummel the Pacific Northwest, residents are advised to stay informed about local conditions and heed any evacuation orders or warnings issued by authorities. With more rain and snow in the forecast, the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and power outages remains high.
While the region is no stranger to powerful storms, the intensity and duration of this bomb cyclone have left many residents struggling to cope with the aftermath. As communities begin the long process of cleaning up and recovering, the full extent of the damage is likely to become clearer in the coming days and weeks.
For now, those in the hardest-hit areas are focusing on staying safe and supporting one another through this difficult time. As one resident put it:
“We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ll weather this one too. It’s going to take time, but we’ll rebuild and come back stronger.”
As the Pacific Northwest braces for the next wave of the bomb cyclone’s fury, that spirit of resilience will be more important than ever.
The storm’s high winds have wreaked havoc on the region’s power infrastructure, leaving more than 330,000 customers without electricity in Washington state alone. Utility crews are working around the clock to restore power, but the extent of the damage means that some residents may be in the dark for days.
“We haven’t had a storm like this since January of 2012,”
said Mary Kipp, president of Puget Sound Energy, which serves over 1.2 million electric customers in Washington.
In California, approximately 16,000 power outages have been reported as of Thursday morning, further compounding the misery for those affected by the storm.
Travel Disruptions Mount
The bomb cyclone’s impact on travel has been significant, with hundreds of flights delayed and dozens canceled at San Francisco International Airport. On the roads, treacherous conditions have led to numerous accidents and closures. In northern California, only 50 vehicles an hour are being allowed through a stretch of northbound Interstate 5 due to snow.
Farther north, rough winds and seas have temporarily halted ferry service between Port Townsend and Coupeville in northwestern Washington, further disrupting travel in the region.
Residents Urged to Stay Vigilant
As the bomb cyclone continues to pummel the Pacific Northwest, residents are advised to stay informed about local conditions and heed any evacuation orders or warnings issued by authorities. With more rain and snow in the forecast, the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and power outages remains high.
While the region is no stranger to powerful storms, the intensity and duration of this bomb cyclone have left many residents struggling to cope with the aftermath. As communities begin the long process of cleaning up and recovering, the full extent of the damage is likely to become clearer in the coming days and weeks.
For now, those in the hardest-hit areas are focusing on staying safe and supporting one another through this difficult time. As one resident put it:
“We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ll weather this one too. It’s going to take time, but we’ll rebuild and come back stronger.”
As the Pacific Northwest braces for the next wave of the bomb cyclone’s fury, that spirit of resilience will be more important than ever.
