Atmospheric River Triggers Mass Evacuations and Severe Flooding Across Pacific Northwest
My Egypt
Tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate as
torrential rains inundate Washington State and British
Columbia, severing major transport links.
SEATTLE/VANCOUVER – A powerful "atmospheric
river" storm system has unleashed historic rainfall across the Pacific
Northwest, causing widespread flooding from northern Oregon
to British Columbia, Canada. The
deluge has triggered mass evacuations, washed out critical rail lines, and
closed dozens of highways.
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| Atmospheric River Triggers Mass Evacuations and Severe Flooding Across Pacific Northwest |
Atmospheric River Triggers Mass Evacuations and Severe Flooding Across Pacific Northwest
Washington State Hardest Hit
The US National Weather Service identified western Washington as the
epicenter of the storm. Flood warnings were issued across the Cascade
Mountains, the Olympic Mountains, and the Puget Sound
region—an area home to approximately 5.8 million people.
According to Karina Shagren, spokesperson for the
Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, authorities
issued "Level 3" evacuation orders for roughly 100,000 residents in the western part of the state,
urging them to seek higher ground immediately.
While the storm also brought heavy rain and
flooding to parts of western Montana and
northern Idaho,
no injuries or missing persons have been reported so far. Specialized water
rescue teams have been deployed throughout the region to assist those in need.
Critical Infrastructure Paralyzed
The severe weather has caused significant
disruptions to supply chains and transportation networks:
- Rail Disruption: BNSF Railway, one of the largest freight railroad
networks in North America, reported that several sections of its main
freight line serving the Pacific Northwest
have been washed out or forced out of service by rising waters.
- Road Closures: U.S. state officials confirmed
the closure of more than 30 highways and dozens of secondary roads due to
flooding.
Vancouver
Isolated
In Canada,
the situation is equally dire. Authorities in British Columbia announced the closure of five out of the six major highways connecting the city of Vancouver to the rest of
the country. The closures were necessitated by flash floods, rockslides, and
the imminent threat of avalanches.
Climate Change Concerns
While winter storms are not uncommon along the
Pacific coast, meteorologists warn that the intensity of this event highlights
a worrying trend. Experts suggest that as global temperatures continue to rise
due to climate change, atmospheric river events are
likely to become more frequent and more extreme in the coming century.
