Severe storm batters Northwestern U.S., causing power outages and fatalities

A powerful storm system swept through the northwestern United States on Tuesday evening, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and significant damage to the region. The storm, categorized as a “bomb cyclone” due to its rapid intensification, caused widespread power outages, downed trees, and at least one fatality.

Widespread Impact Across the Northwest

In Washington State, the storm uprooted trees, damaged homes, and littered roads. In Lynnwood, a tragic incident occurred when a tree fell on a homeless encampment, killing a woman, according to South County Fire. In Seattle, a falling tree temporarily trapped an individual in a vehicle; the person was later reported in stable condition.

“Trees are coming down all over the city & falling onto homes,” warned Bellevue’s Fire Department on the social platform X. Residents were advised to avoid going outdoors and to stay on the lowest floors of their homes, away from windows.

Power Outages and High Winds

Over 600,000 homes and businesses in Washington State were without power early Wednesday, according to poweroutage.us. However, internet disruptions and reporting challenges made it difficult to confirm the exact numbers. Oregon and California also reported power outages, affecting more than 15,000 and 19,000 customers, respectively.

Wind speeds reached hurricane levels in some areas. The highest recorded gust was 101 mph (163 kph) in Canadian waters off Vancouver Island. Along the Oregon coast, gusts peaked at 79 mph (127 kph), while Mount Rainier in Washington experienced winds of 77 mph (124 kph).

Extreme Weather Warnings

The National Weather Service issued several warnings across the region:

• Flood and High Wind Alerts: Northern California faced up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain, with risks of flash flooding, rockslides, and debris flows in areas like the San Francisco Bay, North Coast, and Sacramento Valley.
• Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings: The Sierra Nevada mountains above 3,500 feet (1,066 meters) were under a winter storm watch, with up to 15 inches (28 cm) of snow and wind gusts reaching 75 mph (120 kph). Similarly, the Cascades in Washington, including Mount Rainier National Park, were forecast to receive up to a foot of snow with gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph).
• Marine Disruptions: High winds and rough seas halted ferry services between Port Townsend and Coupeville in northwestern Washington.

Safety Advisory

The Weather Service urged residents to stay indoors, avoid exterior rooms, and use caution while driving. The storm’s intensity is expected to continue through Friday, with more rain and wind anticipated.