Deadly Bomb Cyclone Wreaks Havoc Across Seattle Region
A rapidly intensifying "bomb cyclone" struck the Seattle area Tuesday night, unleashing winds of 50-75 mph that toppled trees, caused widespread damage, and resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries.
In Lynnwood, a woman lost her life when a tree crashed into an encampment, according to South County Fire officials. South of Seattle, in Maple Valley, two people sustained injuries after a tree fell onto their trailer. Puget Sound Fire reported that while one person was rescued quickly, it took firefighters an hour to free the other individual trapped in the wreckage. Both were transported to local hospitals, though their conditions remain undisclosed.
In northeastern Seattle, a driver was struck by a falling tree while on the road, according to the Seattle Fire Department. The individual was rescued and listed in stable condition. Crews noted that several other trees had toppled near the same intersection, complicating the rescue efforts.
The Cascade foothills east of Seattle experienced wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, driven by a low-pressure system that intensified dramatically off the Washington coast. Enumclaw recorded a gust of 74 mph before its wind gauge, along with the town’s power, went offline.
By early Wednesday morning, over 700,000 residents in Western Washington were without power, including more than 100,000 in Seattle, according to PowerOutage.US. "The sound out here is unreal!" said Anthony Concannon, describing the deafening roar of the wind through trees and power lines.
In Bellevue, the state’s fifth-largest city, 52 mph gusts caused extensive damage, with firefighters responding to numerous reports of trees crashing into homes. “If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. If at all possible, stay indoors, Bellevue Fire officials advised.
Fallen trees and power lines blocked major highways across the region, including portions of State Routes 18, 516, and 169. Interstate 405 in Bellevue was also obstructed late Tuesday night when a tree fell across all four lanes.
The chaos prompted Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue to post on X: "There are so many trees and power lines down, we would be posting the locations till the lights turn on."
At Sea-Tac Airport, rare easterly gusts of 59 mph created challenging crosswinds for pilots accustomed to the region’s typical southerly winds, further highlighting the storm's exceptional nature.
As cleanup efforts begin, authorities continue to warn residents to exercise caution and remain indoors while crews work to clear debris and restore power.
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