Two people were killed near Seattle due to back-to-back storms that caused widespread power outages in the Pacific Northwest. The storms, described as a “bomb cyclone” for the quick drop in pressure, brought high winds, rain, snow, falling trees, and downed power lines throughout western Washington. Snow, freezing rain, and blizzard conditions affected eastern Washington, with major routes closed due to blizzard conditions in southern Oregon.
A woman was killed when a tree fell at a homeless encampment in Lynnwood, while another person died in Bellevue after a tree crashed into their home. Images of cars smashed by falling trees were broadcast, and firefighters in Puget Sound rescued two people trapped when a tree fell onto their trailer. More than 700,000 homes and businesses lost power, though some improvement was seen by late Wednesday.
California braced for extreme rainfall totals due to an atmospheric river event, while a separate storm off the Northwest coast was expected to amplify the effects. Northern California faced power outages, and chains were required on Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada. Canada also experienced strong winds, with gusts equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane recorded on Vancouver Island.
Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating such extreme weather events by increasing the potential for warmer, wetter, and more intense atmospheric river storms. The atmospheric effect has resulted in higher flood risks and costs.
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