Bomb Cyclone Slams Rain-starved US West, Bringing Floods
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published October 26, 2021 | 09:20 AM
Los Angeles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Oct, 2021 ) :A "bomb cyclone" brought floods and landslides to drought-hit California as forest fire-scarred landscapes were unable to soak up record-breaking rains.
Severe thunderstorms deluged the northern part of the state, with strong winds pummeling the area, toppling powerlines and trees and leaving at least two people dead.
The cyclone roared in from the Pacific Ocean and struck San Francisco and Oakland, as well as the states of Oregon and Washington, further north, on Sunday.
It also lashed British Columbia, Canada's western-most province, leaving thousands without power.
Two people were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle near Seattle.
California's state capital, Sacramento, which saw no rain at all in the six months to September, was deluged with 14 centimeters (five and a half inches), beating a record that had stood since 1880.
The rains inundated towns, leaving some streets waist-deep in water, photographs showed.
In Ross, a small city in the northern part of the state, rescue crews were scrambling to remove trees blown down by the winds.
In nearby San Rafael, streets were completely flooded, with water rising above the height of vehicle tires, while further south in Marin City, crews were working to redirect water into drains.
Since the storms began Sunday night, nearly 400,000 people have been left without power because of the high winds, utility PG&E said.
Meteorologists say the desiccated landscape of the US west finds it difficult to absorb heavy rains, and water just washes destructively off the surface.
That problem is exacerbated by the huge forest fires that have torn through the region, burning thousands of square kilometers (miles).
The "burn scars" these blazes leave behind are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding, having no vegetation left to soak up the rains.
A years-long drought in the western United States has left whole swathes of the countryside vulnerable to fires that now burn hotter and longer.
Scientists say global warming caused by the burning of fossil fuels has worsened this drought.
It also increases extreme weather events in all their forms.
A "bomb cyclone" forms when air pressure drops abruptly as the storm gathers strength.
The phenomenon sucked moisture from the Pacific and created an "atmospheric river," a vapor cloud that can unleash heavy precipitation, AccuWeather meteorologist Jon Porter said.
The powerful storm continued to move through the state on Monday, with several cities recording persistent rainfall.
The storm has been good news for some, with a heavy dumping of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountain range allowing ski resorts to open earlier than usual.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
17 days ago