bigrus

‘Bomb cyclone’ kills 2 and knocks out power in northwestern US

Harry November 21, 2024

By MARTHA BELLISLE, HALLIE GOLDEN and LISA BAUMANN, Associated Press

ISSAQUAH, Wash. (AP) — A major storm is sweeping through the northwestern U.S., leaving the region with heavy blows strong winds and rainIt caused widespread power outages and downed trees, killing at least two people.

The Weather Prediction Center warns of extreme precipitation risks through Friday and hurricane-force wind warnings remain in effect at strongest atmospheric river A large moisture cloud seen this season in California and the Pacific Northwest has blanketed the region. Storm system effective from Tuesday bomb cycloneIt occurs when a tornado intensifies rapidly.

In California, the weather service extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco through Saturday due to “increased confidence in the impacts of flooding.” Forecasters said Wednesday morning that up to 12 inches of rain were recorded in the higher elevations of Sonoma County wine country in 24 hours. More than 10 inches (25 cm) were forecast for northern parts of the state and the central coast. Officials warned that dangerous flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows were possible.

A winter storm watch was in effect for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet (1,066 meters), where 15 inches (28 cm) of snow was possible for two days. Winds could gust up to 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour in mountainous areas, forecasters said.

Heavy, wet snow was expected to continue throughout the Cascades and parts of northern California. Forecasters warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at the pass level due to accumulation rates of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) per hour and winds up to 65 mph (105 km/h).

Falling trees crashed into homes and littered roads in northwest Washington. A woman died when a large tree fell on a homeless camp in Lynnwood, Washington, Tuesday night, the South County Fire Department said in a statement. A woman was killed when a tree fell on a home Tuesday night in Bellevue, east of Seattle, fire officials said.

Tracy Meloy of Issaquah, Washington, felt well prepared for the storm Tuesday afternoon, as she had dinner and flashlights ready. But he then spent the night listening to wind-whipped debris crash outside his home, including a particularly loud “thump” around 9 p.m. On Wednesday morning, he ventured out to survey the damage in his neighborhood about 17 miles (27 kilometers) east. from Seattle.

“Now that I’m standing here in front of the house, I can tell it’s the tree across the street,” Meloy said. He cut down the electric poles in front of his tree house. Branches, leaves and other vegetation were strewn all over the road.

“It looks like the forest floor instead of the street,” he said.

1 related to 8

A person records that a tree was damaged and power lines were downed during the major storm in Seattle on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP)

expand

The number of power outage reports in Washington state fluctuated wildly Tuesday evening, but had fallen steadily to about 530,000 by Wednesday morning. power outage.us. As of Wednesday morning, more than 3,000 people were reported to be without power in Oregon and more than 21,000 people in California.

“Trees are falling all over the city and falling on homes,” the Bellevue Fire Department posted on X Tuesday night. “If possible, go to the bottom floor and stay away from windows. “Do not go out if you can.”

In the Dakotas and Minnesota, the first significant snow of the season caused crashes and slick roads. Up to 16 inches (40 cm) of snow could fall in North Dakota’s Turtle Mountains and Minot could get up to 8 inches (20 cm) of snow, the weather service said. Winds of up to 60 mph (97 km/h) are expected to be problematic in parts of Montana and Nebraska, the weather service said.

The Minnesota State Patrol said state troopers in northern Minnesota responded to multiple crashes, including jackknifing of tractor trailers on Interstate 194 after the roadway became slick with snow and ice. No injuries were immediately reported.

The weather service warned people on the West Coast about the danger of trees during high winds, writing to X: “Stay safe by staying away from outdoor rooms and windows and using caution when driving.”

Southbound Interstate 5 was closed Wednesday morning for a stretch of 11 miles (18 kilometers) from Ashland, Oregon, to the California border due to extreme winter weather conditions in Northern California, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The ministry said a long-term closure is expected.

The weather service issued a flood warning for parts of southwestern Oregon through Friday evening, while high winds and seas halted the ferry route between Port Townsend and Coupeville in northwestern Washington.

A blizzard warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for much of Washington’s Cascades, including Mount Rainier National Park, with up to 1 foot of snow and winds up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service. seattle Traveling between passes can be difficult, if not impossible.

First Publication Date: November 20, 2024, 07:03 EST