A major storm Flooding occurred throughout the northwestern US, bringing high winds and rain across the region, causing widespread power outages and downing trees, killing at least one person.
The Weather Prediction Center issued a risk of extreme rainfall through Friday and hurricane-force wind warnings remained in effect as the strongest atmospheric river – A big pile of moisture – which California and the Pacific Northwest have seen in the region this season. The storm system that began on Tuesday is believed to be bomb cycloneWhich happens when the cyclone rapidly intensifies.
National Weather Service Portland via AP
Downed trees damaged homes and scattered debris on roads throughout Northwest Washington. In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman died Tuesday night when a large tree fell on a homeless camp, South County Fire said in a statement on Twitter. In Seattle, a tree fell on a vehicle, temporarily trapping someone inside, the Seattle Fire Department reported. The agency later said the man was in stable condition.
“Trees are being snapped and falling on homes all across the city,” the fire department in Bellevue, about 10 miles east of Seattle, posted on the social platform X. “If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Don't go outside if you can avoid it.”
A fire department in Washington state posted photos on X of some of the damage its personnel suffered early Wednesday:
Eastside Fire and Rescue via AP
Early Wednesday, more than 600,000 homes in Washington state were reported without power PowerOutage.usThe number of outage reports fluctuated wildly Tuesday evening, likely as many weather and utility agencies struggled to deliver information about the storm due to Internet outages and other technical problems. It was not clear whether that figure was accurate. More than 4,000 people in Oregon and nearly 15,000 in California lost power. Puget Sound Energy said in a statement Wednesday morning that nearly half a million of its customers were without power and expected “outages that could last for several days.”
CBS Seattle affiliate KIRO-TV reports Puget Sound Energy said in a statement Wednesday morning that about half a million of its customers without power should expect “outages lasting several days.”
As of 8 p.m., the maximum wind speed was in Canadian waters, with gusts of up to 101 mph off the coast of Vancouver Island, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. Winds as high as 79 mph were recorded Tuesday evening off the Oregon coast, according to the National Weather Service in Medford, Oregon, while Mount Rainier in Washington recorded a gust of 77 mph.
“Stay safe by staying away from outdoor rooms and windows and using caution when driving,” the National Weather Service posted on the X, warning people on the West Coast about the danger of downed trees during high winds.
In Northern California, there was flooding and high winds, with up to 8 inches of rain predicted in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, the North Coast, and the Sacramento Valley. Twelve to 16 inches of rain was forecast for far northern California and far southwestern Oregon through Friday, according to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. There was a possibility of dangerous flash floods, rock slides and debris flows.
A winter storm warning was issued for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet, where up to 15 inches of snowfall was possible over two days. Forecasters said wind speeds could exceed 75 mph in mountainous areas.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for parts of southwestern Oregon through Friday evening, while high winds and seas blocked a ferry route between Port Townsend and Coupeville in northwestern Washington.
Snow warnings up to a foot and wind gusts up to 60 mph were issued for much of Washington's Cascades, including Mount Rainier National Park, according to the weather service in Seattle. Traveling across the passes can be difficult, if not impossible.
The Weather Prediction Center said heavy, wet snow will fall in the Cascades and far Northern California. Accumulation is occurring at a rate of two-three inches per hour. The center said there could be whiteout/blizzard conditions with gusts up to 65 mph and “nearly impossible travel at pass levels.”