Severe Storm Hits Northwest U.S. Causing Power Outages and Fatalities
- The storm caused widespread power outages and downed trees, resulting in at least one fatality.
- The Weather Prediction Center issued warnings for excessive rainfall and hurricane-force winds.
- In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman died when a tree fell on a homeless encampment.
Major Storm Hits Northwest U.S.
A major storm struck the northwest U.S. on Tuesday evening, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The storm caused widespread power outages and downed trees, resulting in at least one fatality.
The Weather Prediction Center issued warnings for excessive rainfall and hurricane-force winds. This storm is classified as a “bomb cyclone,” meaning it is intensifying rapidly.
In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman died when a tree fell on a homeless encampment. In Seattle, a tree fell on a vehicle, temporarily trapping a person inside. The individual was later reported to be in stable condition.
The Bellevue fire department advised residents to stay indoors, especially on lower floors, and away from windows. By early Wednesday, over 600,000 homes in Washington were without power. Reports of outages varied due to technical difficulties and internet issues. Additionally, over 15,000 outages occurred in Oregon, and nearly 19,000 in California.
Wind speeds peaked at 101 mph off Vancouver Island. Gusts of 79 mph were recorded along the Oregon coast, and 77 mph at Mount Rainier in Washington. Winds were expected to rise throughout western Washington that evening.
The National Weather Service issued warnings about the danger of downed trees during high winds. Residents were advised to avoid exterior rooms and windows. In northern California, flood watches were issued, with forecasts predicting up to 8 inches of rain in some areas. Flash floods, rock slides, and debris flows were expected.
A winter storm watch was issued for the northern Sierra Nevada mountains, with 15 inches of snow possible and wind gusts over 75 mph. The National Weather Service also issued flood watches for parts of southwestern Oregon and halted a ferry route in northwestern Washington due to rough winds.
A blizzard warning was in effect for the Cascades in Washington, with predictions of up to a foot of snow and wind gusts of 60 mph. Travel across mountain passes could be very difficult.