While part of France is under snow, a powerful storm, fueled by an atmospheric river and a cyclonic bomb, caused devastation in the Pacific Northwest and northern California this Thursday, writes the New York Times. The weather phenomenon left hundreds of thousands of people without power, caused floods and landslides, and disrupted transportation.
The first atmospheric river of the season, this storm recorded winds reaching 145 km/h with torrential rain and significant snowfall in mountainous regions. The intense rains particularly affected Northern California, where precipitation is expected to reach up to 40 cm by Friday morning. Areas around Seattle, Washington, Oregon and northern California were most affected.
Considerable human and material damage
For the moment, the human toll stands at two victims, two women in Washington State. One was killed by a tree that fell on her home in Bellevue, and the other was killed at a homeless encampment in Lynnwood. The material damage is also impressive, with thousands of trees uprooted, power lines cut, and roads impassable. In Marin County, a truck overturned on US Highway 101, disrupting traffic.
In mountainous areas, such as the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, blizzard conditions were reported. Some ski resorts could receive up to 1.5 meters of snow, marking the first significant snow episode of the season.
Power cuts and transport disruptions
About 364,000 homes were still without power Thursday morning in Washington state and California. Rescue teams warned that repairs could take several days, particularly in the worst-hit areas.
Travel was also severely disrupted. The Amtrak train company canceled trains in the northwest of the country, while San Francisco International Airport recorded more than 60 cancellations and 450 delays on Wednesday.
An impact amplified by climate change?
Experts say climate change plays a role in intensifying these weather phenomena because warmer air contains more moisture, increasing the amount of precipitation. However, scientists are still determining how warming influences the frequency and duration of these events.
Authorities are warning of increased risks of flash flooding and landslides as the storm continues into the weekend. The situation remains critical, particularly in coastal and mountainous areas, as response teams work to restore services and limit damage.
