Washington state is grappling with the aftermath of a severe “bomb cyclone” that resulted in two fatalities, disrupted power for approximately half a million residents, and caused extensive damage due to fallen trees and power lines. Unfortunately, the recovery efforts may be short-lived, as another storm system is already on its way.
The storm, which hit the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, originated off the coast on Tuesday, unleashing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and significant snowfall across the region. The devastation led to significant road closures and power outages, described by Puget Sound Energy as a situation with “multiple day outages.” By Thursday morning, over 320,000 customers remained without electricity in Washington, according to data from PowerOutage.Us.
Tragically, two women lost their lives during this storm. One incident occurred in Lynnwood, where a woman in her 50s was killed when a tree fell onto a homeless encampment. Another tragedy was reported in Bellevue, where a man reported that a tree crashed into his home, resulting in the death of his wife.
As the state continues to recover, meteorological forecasts indicate that another storm is expected to arrive. The new system is predicted to bring gusty winds beginning Friday and heavy mountain snow extending towards the northern Rockies through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
This new storm system is anticipated to develop off the Oregon and Washington coast, creating rough surf conditions in coastal areas and potentially leading to additional isolated power outages.
Southern regions aren’t escaping the harsh weather either; Northern California and southwestern Oregon are currently facing a powerful atmospheric river, which has triggered flood watches for around two million individuals. This system is expected to deliver up to five feet of snow in mountainous areas and as much as 16 inches of rain in select parts of California.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration characterizes atmospheric rivers as elongated zones in the atmosphere that carry most of the moisture outside of the tropics. This particular atmospheric river is expected to remain mostly stationary over the next few days, which could exacerbate flooding in already drenched areas, resulting in total rainfall of between 12 to 16 inches by the weekend.
As this storm reached its peak intensity on Thursday, peak wind gusts have been recorded at 98 mph in California’s Mattole Road and 89 mph at Acorn Woman Peak. Rainfall measurements show maximum totals of 8.72 inches in Austin Creek and 5.21 inches in Point Arena, California. Authorities have warned that such conditions are likely leading to flooding, rock slides, and potential debris flows, heightening risks along the Northern California coastline.
In times like these, communities often come together to support each other through adversity. As recovery efforts in Washington and California unfold, local organizations and individuals have the opportunity to make a positive impact by assisting those in need. While the weather may pose challenges, the spirit of resilience and community strength shines through in efforts to rebuild and recover.
This report serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of extreme weather events.