Strong storm hits the U.S. Northwest, causing widespread power outages and at least one death on Tuesday night (November 19th). The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain, affecting tens of thousands of residents in Washington State.
According to the meteorological forecast center, California and the Pacific Northwest are experiencing the strongest atmospheric river phenomenon of the season, where a large amount of water vapor is hitting the region. This storm system is known as a “bomb cyclone” that rapidly intensifies.
The excessive rainfall risk alert issued by the meteorological center is expected to last until Friday (November 22nd), with hurricane-level wind warnings in effect.
It is predicted that rainfall in Northern California and southwestern Oregon could reach 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters), with the peak intensity expected on Thursday, possibly leading to lightning floods, landslides, and mudflows.
Parts of the Cascade Mountains and Northern California are expected to see heavy, wet snowfall. Meteorologists warn that snow accumulation rates could reach 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) per hour, with wind speeds potentially reaching up to 65 miles per hour (105 kilometers per hour), making travel nearly impossible in those areas.
In the northwestern part of Washington State, the strong winds caused many trees to fall, some hitting homes and blocking roads. In Lynnwood, Washington, a large tree fell on a homeless camp, resulting in the death of a woman, as confirmed by the South County Fire on social media.
In Issaquah, Washington, a 70-year-old tree fell on a resident’s home. The resident described the incident to local media, saying she thought the whole wall was going to collapse, stating it felt like an explosion, as if a bomb was going off, very loud.
About ten miles east of Seattle in Bellevue, the local fire department warned on social media that trees were falling and hitting homes throughout the city. They advised residents to stay on the lowest floor away from windows and to avoid going outside if possible.
According to data from poweroutage.us, over 600,000 households in Washington State were without power on Wednesday morning. However, due to internet disruptions and other technical issues affecting multiple meteorological and utility agencies’ ability to report storm information, the number of power outages fluctuated throughout the night, making it unclear if the reported numbers were accurate, though the numbers were steadily decreasing. Oregon had over 3,000 households without power on Wednesday morning, and California nearly 15,000 households affected.
The National Weather Service in Seattle reported that as of 8 p.m., wind gusts near the coast of Vancouver Island in Canada reached a peak of 101 miles per hour (163 kilometers per hour).
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, Oregon, wind speeds on the coast of Oregon reached up to 79 miles per hour (127 kilometers per hour) on Tuesday night, while the highest wind speed recorded at Mount Rainier in Washington State was 77 miles per hour (124 kilometers per hour).
The National Weather Service warned residents along the West Coast to be cautious of the dangers posed by trees during strong winds, advising people to stay away from exterior rooms and windows, and to exercise caution while driving.
Northern California has issued flood and high wind warnings. Areas including the San Francisco Bay Area, the North Coast, and the Sacramento Valley are expected to receive up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rainfall. The National Weather Service forecast center warned of potential dangerous lightning floods, landslides, and mudflows in those regions.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for areas above 3,500 feet (1,066 meters) in the Northern Nevada mountains. Up to 15 inches (28 centimeters) of snowfall is expected within the next two days, with mountain wind speeds possibly exceeding 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour).
Flood warnings have been issued for parts of southwestern Oregon, lasting until Friday night. Furthermore, ferry services in the northwestern part of Washington State between Port Townsend and Coupeville have been suspended due to rough seas caused by the strong winds.
(Reference: Associated Press)