(DailyAnswer.org) – A powerful “bomb cyclone” tore through the Pacific Northwest early Wednesday, unleashing destructive winds and heavy rain. The storm, a fast-strengthening low-pressure system, caused massive power outages, downed trees, and left at least one person dead as communities braced for further damage.
This rare weather event combines intense rain with hurricane-force winds to form what scientists refer to as an “atmospheric river.” According to the National Weather Service (NWS), this particular storm could intensify into a “triple-bomb” cyclone—three times stronger than a typical system of its kind—over the next 24 hours. The NWS has issued warnings for excessive rainfall across northern California and the Pacific Northwest, with risks expected to linger into Friday.
The storm’s devastation is already being felt. In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman lost her life when a tree fell on a homeless encampment. Meanwhile, two others were injured in Maple Valley, southeast of Seattle, after a tree came crashing down on their trailer. Overnight, powerful gusts reaching up to 70 mph toppled trees and snapped power lines, cutting off electricity to more than 600,000 homes and businesses in Washington, southwest Oregon, and northern California.
The region is no stranger to bomb cyclones, though their impacts seem to grow more severe with each occurrence. A well-known storm in 2018 brought rare snow to the Southeast and hurricane-level winds. Another in 2022 caused widespread freezing conditions across much of the country. Even Hurricane Milton, which recently struck Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, began as a bomb cyclone before gaining strength over warmer waters.
This week’s storm is being called one of the strongest in decades to hit the Pacific Northwest. In addition to widespread power outages, schools across western Washington canceled classes or delayed start times, and roads were littered with debris. Emergency crews continue to work around the clock to restore power and clear blocked streets.
As the storm progresses, residents are urged to remain cautious, especially in areas prone to flooding or falling trees. The sheer intensity of this bomb cyclone is a stark reminder of how unpredictable and destructive nature can be. For many in its path, the aftermath will take days, if not weeks, to recover from fully.
Copyright 2024, DailyAnswer.org
