A powerful "bomb cyclone" battered the northwest U.S. on Tuesday evening, killing one person and leaving over 600,000 homes in Washington State without power.
Oregon reported more than 15,000 outages, while nearly 19,000 homes in California were affected. The storm, driven by the strongest atmospheric river of the season, unleashed hurricane-force winds and torrential rain, causing widespread destruction.
In Lynnwood, Washington, a falling tree struck a homeless encampment, killing a woman, South County Fire reported.
In Seattle, another tree crashed onto a vehicle, briefly trapping an occupant who was later rescued and reported in stable condition. Across the region, downed trees littered roads and damaged homes, prompting Bellevue's fire department to warn residents on X, "Trees are coming down all over the city & falling onto homes. If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it."
Storm Ravages Infrastructure
Technical issues and internet outages complicated efforts to track power disruptions accurately, but reports indicated widespread outages and severe damage.
Wind gusts reached 101 mph near Vancouver Island in Canadian waters, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Along the Oregon coast, gusts peaked at 79 mph, while Mount Rainier in Washington recorded speeds of 77 mph.
The NWS warned of dangerous conditions, urging residents to avoid exterior rooms and windows during high winds and to exercise caution when traveling.
Flood and Snow Warnings Expand
In northern California, flood and high wind warnings were issued as the storm system moved south. Forecasts predicted up to eight inches of rain in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, North Coast, and Sacramento Valley. Officials warned of flash flooding, debris flows, and rockslides.
A winter storm watch was also in effect for the northern Sierra Nevada, where up to 15 inches of snow was expected above 3,500 feet. Wind gusts in mountain regions could exceed 75 mph, making travel hazardous.
In Washington, a blizzard warning covered much of the Cascades, including Mount Rainier National Park, with snow totals expected to reach a foot and winds up to 60 mph.
Communities Brace for Ongoing Storm
With excessive rainfall risks continuing through Friday, the Pacific Northwest remains on high alert.
Ferry services were suspended between Port Townsend and Coupeville in northwestern Washington due to rough seas.
The storm's relentless winds and rain have underscored the devastating affect of this extreme weather pattern.
This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press
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