Two people were killed near Seattle and over half a million homes and businesses were left without power after back-to-back storms hit the Pacific Northwest. The storms caused high winds, rain, snow, falling trees, and downed power lines throughout western Washington. Snow, freezing rain, and blizzard conditions affected eastern Washington, prompting warnings for safe travel. Interstate 5 southbound was closed in Oregon due to blizzard conditions.
A woman in her 50s was killed by a falling tree in Lynnwood, while another person was killed in Bellevue when a tree crashed into a house. Many cars and buildings were damaged by falling trees. Over 700,000 homes and businesses lost power in the state, with more than 300,000 still without power by late Wednesday. Firefighters in Puget Sound rescued two individuals trapped under a fallen tree.
The storm also affected Northern California, with extreme rainfall expected to cause flash flooding, rock slides, and debris flows. A separate storm was set to develop off the Northwest coast, amplifying the atmospheric river effect. Canada also faced strong winds, with gusts equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.
Experts warned that climate change is exacerbating these storms, with warmer and wetter conditions leading to more intense atmospheric river events. The storms caused widespread damage and disruption across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, with authorities urging caution and preparedness for further weather impacts.
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