A fierce winter wind has battered big parts of the United States, bringing fog conditions, treacherous routes, and heavy storms.
The severe weather has caused panic, leaving some people injured and dozens without power, from large aircraft pileups in the Pacific Northwest to flash floods in California and storms in Mississippi.
California struck by heavy rain and mudslides
Southern California was in a different situation when the Pacific Northwest battled ice: very much rain very quickly. The strongest ambient valley of the year brought heavy downpours, triggering landslides, rockslides, and flash flooding.
Roads in the Hollywood Hills were covered in thick dirt by a rockslide in Malibu Canyon and a landslide in the Hollywood Hills. In Pacific Palisades, some places were buried in waist-deep silt. Authorities ordered evacuations in sections of Los Angeles struck by next season’s fire, fearing more mudslides.
” If you can, stay off the roads now, particularly this day and evening”, the National Weather Service posted on X.
In mountain regions, there were 15 inches of rainfall, and southern and valley regions, they were 8 cm. Powerful winds knocked down trees, caused power outages, and disrupted airlines.
Despite the heavy rains, Southern California remains in extreme drought. Environmental scientist Daniel Swain warned,” This wind might deliver too much to fast”.
Highway conflict in Oregon is caused by an ice storm.
Bright snow and ice caused a major accumulation on Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls, about 40 miles west of Portland. Initial studies suggested there were more than 100 lorries involved, but state officials after confirmed that there were 20 to 30. Eight independent accidents were the subject of an Oregon State Officers police officer’s response, with at least four people receiving minor wounds and receiving hospitalizations.
Due to the harsh circumstances, it was difficult for investigators to determine the full extent of the event. ” Great winds, snow, and frost made it difficult to determine how many cars were included”, said state transportation director Ryan McCrary. An SUV caught fire in the fall, but its inhabitants escaped.
As the weather dropped to -12°C and with a wind frost, Multnomah County authorities declared a state of emergency and set up eight emergency shelters through Friday. On Wednesday evening, more than 480 individuals reportedly sought shelter in tents. The place braced for up to 7.6 cm of winter, with wind gusts reaching 72 km/h.
Farther north, in Washington state, a 22-vehicle accumulation on Interstate 5 near the Cowlitz River left six people injured. Government only reported 95 accidents across five districts in west Washington on Thursday.
Storm wave across the country
In San Francisco’s Bay Area, the surprise caused power outages, small floods, and flooded streets. Felton Grove residents were urged to leave because they believed the San Lorenzo River had flow. Wine state in the north of the city was prepared for flooding along the Russian River.
Las Vegas had its first weather in 214 time on Thursday, breaking a long dry magic. In northwestern Utah, snow and rain made hill streets to ski resorts risky.
East Coast and South are both severely hit.
The surprise spread its sway to the East Coast, dumping heavy snow and freezing rain from Kentucky to Washington, DC. According to dangerous streets, dozens of school districts in New England canceled or delayed courses. In Maine, a tractor-trailer fall on the Maine Turnpike left two people dead.
By Thursday night, almost 130, 000 individuals in Virginia and 6, 600 in North Carolina were still without power.
In Mississippi, two small EF-0 tornadoes touched down on Wednesday, tearing the metal roof off an commercial building and destructive homes in Columbia. No incidents or big injuries were reported.
