A devastating “bomb cyclone” has rocked the Pacific Northwest, leaving two dead, injuring others, and cutting power to nearly 600,000 homes and businesses. This rare and violent storm is being compared to a winter hurricane, bringing dangerous winds, flooding, and heavy snowfall to the region.
Two women in the Seattle area lost their lives after being struck by falling trees, while two others were injured in separate incidents. The storm has also triggered widespread power outages, blocked roads, and left countless residents scrambling for safety.
What Is a Bomb Cyclone?
A bomb cyclone is a powerful cold-season storm that gains its strength rapidly through a process called bombogenesis. This happens when cold and warm air masses collide, causing the storm’s pressure to drop dramatically. The result? A storm with the power of a hurricane that unleashes chaos on land.
This particular bomb cyclone saw its pressure drop to 942 millibars, making it one of the strongest storms recorded in the Pacific Northwest in the last 50 years, according to meteorologists.
Deadly Winds and Massive Power Outages
Winds as strong as 70 mph swept through the region, toppling trees and causing massive blackouts. Seattle experienced its worst power outage since 2006, with 114,000 customers losing power at one point. While crews worked tirelessly, tens of thousands remained in the dark by Wednesday afternoon.
In one terrifying incident, a massive tree fell on a homeless encampment in Lynnwood, Washington, killing a woman in her 50s. Another tree crushed a trailer in Maple Valley, injuring two people—one of whom was trapped for an hour before being rescued by firefighters.
Seattle Residents on Edge
Seattle residents braced for the worst as the storm tore through the city. Fallen trees blocked roads, trapped residents in vehicles, and disrupted public transportation. One King County Metro bus was struck by a tree in north Seattle, though no injuries were reported.
Residents like Austin Miller took extra precautions, carrying portable phone chargers and staying indoors. “The wind was howling, and the lights flickered,” said Miller, who watched the storm from his home in Seattle’s International District. “It was like something out of a movie.”
A Second Storm Looms
Just as the region begins to assess the damage, another storm system is preparing to strike. The National Weather Service warned that an atmospheric river—nicknamed a “firehose of rain”—is on its way, threatening to dump up to 20 inches of rain in parts of Northern California and southwest Oregon.
Higher elevations in the Cascade Mountains could see blizzard conditions, with winds up to 60 mph and heavy, wet snow making travel impossible. Rockslides and flooding are also likely, adding to the chaos.
What’s Next?
The bomb cyclone’s impacts are expected to last through Thursday, followed closely by the next storm system. Residents are being urged to prepare for additional power outages, flooding, and dangerous travel conditions.
The National Weather Service has described the incoming storm as “life-threatening,” with meteorologist Rich Otto warning, “The storm is just beginning.”
What are your thoughts on the storm’s destruction? Are you or your loved ones affected? Share your experiences below! Stay safe, and stay tuned for updates.
