A powerful bomb cyclone wreaked havoc in the Pacific Northwest and Canada’s British Columbia, killing two people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. As winds subside, the storm’s remnants are merging with an atmospheric river to unleash life-threatening flooding along the West Coast.
Hurricane-Force Winds Leave Widespread Damage
Destructive winds of up to 77 mph ripped through Washington, toppling trees, power lines, and homes. The Seattle area was among the hardest hit, with over 450,000 customers losing power during a “mass outage event” that could last for days, according to Puget Sound Energy.
Tragically, falling trees claimed two lives—a woman in King County who was struck while showering in her home and another woman in her 50s in Lynnwood when a tree collapsed on a homeless encampment.
Blocked roads and mudslides are hampering restoration efforts in Washington, where utility crews are struggling to access heavily impacted areas. Similar conditions were reported in British Columbia, where more than 70,000 customers are without power.
Once-in-a-Decade Storm Brings Record Winds and Waves
This bomb cyclone, one of the most intense on record for the region, rapidly intensified Monday into Tuesday in a process known as “bombogenesis.” Wind gusts near 80 mph hammered the region, while offshore, buoys recorded waves reaching 34 feet.
“This is one of the worst windstorms we’ve had in recent memory,” said Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly, noting significant damage to trees, traffic signals, and homes.
Flooding Threatens West Coast Amid Atmospheric River
The storm’s latest phase involves an atmospheric river, a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture, intensifying rainfall across Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Rainfall could exceed 16 inches in parts of Northern California, with a rare level 4 of 4 flood risk declared for the region.
“Life-threatening flooding, rockslides, and debris flows are likely,” warned the Weather Prediction Center.
Meanwhile, higher elevations are bracing for several feet of snow, further complicating travel. Interstate 5 in Siskiyou County was closed Wednesday, while chain requirements are in place for parts of I-80 in the Sierra Nevada.
New Storm Looms on the Horizon
The deluge may persist, with another potential bomb cyclone expected to develop off the West Coast by Friday. Although projected to be weaker than the first, this new storm could exacerbate rainfall, flooding, and wind damage across the region.
Residents are urged to stay alert as emergency crews work tirelessly to respond to the unfolding disaster.
