“Trudi and I are thinking about the Washingtonians impacted by this week’s cyclone storm…Once local governments are able to assess damages, we’ll know whether we will be able to seek federal assistance,” states Washington Governor Jay Inslee on November 21, 2024. A rapid and intensifying low-pressure system off the Pacific Coast called the bomb cyclone (bombogenesis) had severely blown over Washington on Tuesday night, November 19, 2024 causing more than 450,000 people to lose power for several days. Yet for some people, fortunately, their power outage only lasted less than 24 hours. The bomb cyclone brought dangerous conditions especially for people who live near the West Coast. Usually, a bomb cyclone is created during the cold weather when warm air mass and cold air mass mix together over ocean water. This includes when the atmospheric pressure is as low as 24 millibars over 24 hours. The explosive development delivered wind gusts over 70 mph in the Cascade Foothills and Coast of Washington. As a result, the recent windstorm proved a similar hurricane-force experience.
(Picture of the bomb cyclone developing over the Pacific Coast and blowing over
Washington State.)
What are the deaths, injuries and damages?
There are at least 2 deaths reported after the extreme weather event. In King County, reported by Bellevue Fire Department, a woman who was showering in her own home was killed by a fallen tree around the same time South County Fire Department reported that another woman was killed by a fallen tree in a homeless encampment camp. Likewise, there are a vast number of cases of trees causing damage and injuries after the event. For example, 3 trees had already fallen on the first night of the windstorm in Renton Avenue South, including fallen wires and a pickup truck that was extremely wrecked by a tree. Moreover, a driver who was near the Maple Leaf neighborhood struggled to escape after a tree harshly landed on their car. Again in King County, a bus driver experienced a tree striking his bus. However, there were no passengers and the bus driver was unharmed. Finally, a car of an Enumclaw driver was unfortunately damaged by a fallen tree as well. 
(Picture of a King County Metro Bus trapped due to a fallen tree.)
How were businesses and stores affected?
Most businesses and stores were forced to close for several days and remove or throw away perishable items. Therefore, they could not meet their customers’ needs for a long period of time. Most businesses and stores lost vital sales, income, inventory and wages for their employees. Just like the restaurant owner of The Well & Table, Jaynie Wetherbee, who states, “Five days of lost revenue definitely has a financial impact on the business…especially from scratch when everything essentially had to have been thrown away.” Not only is getting a business or store back on track important, but also examining and fixing any damages is equally important. Glen Quadros, who is the owner of The Great American Diner and Bar, had the roof of his business destroyed during the windstorm. In addition, many people started to depend on open local businesses and warming centers in order to keep warm, charge electronics, and cure the boredom of many families. “We thought we’d come and just hang out at the mall…stay warm, and keep the kids entertained…there is only so much arts and crafts you can do,“ a Washingtonian named Haque stated who was found at Bellevue Square at the time with his family.
How did energy utilities respond?
Thankfully for the energy utility workers who worked diligently in the cold weather for countless days in order to restore our power, we were able to return to our lifestyle as quickly as possible. On November 21, 2024, Puget Sound Energy wrote a letter addressing the concern of their customers which begins by saying, “To our customers without power: we know you are frustrated. The limited information we have been able to provide online, and the fact you do not yet see our crews working in your neighborhood, is causing you to wonder what is happening.” PSE also provided 2 resource hubs supplied with wifi, light snacks, coffee, water, entertainment items for children and other basic necessities during the power outage. Puget Sound Energy and the Snohomish County Public Utility District were constant in updating their social media platforms regarding their continuous progress in restoring power along with advice and resources. One Snohomish PUD spokesperson said on November 25, 2024, “We are confident that we will have all customers back in power by the end of the day Tuesday, though many will be back on today or tomorrow morning.” Moreover, Seattle City Light was able to successfully restore power to all their customers on Sunday evening, November 24, 2024. In the first 24 hours, Seattle City Light was able to restore 90,000 of their customers’ power, leaving only 10,000 customers on Thursday morning without power.
(Picture of Puget Sound Energy Utility workers attempting to restore power.)
The bomb cyclone was a major historical weather event in Washington. Changing the lives of many Washingtonians as they tackle their own injuries and disasters, especially the two families who are grieving the loss of the two women who were killed by fallen trees. The bomb cyclone also negatively changed the course of many businesses and stores. However, for some businesses and stores who were fortunate to gain power very quickly, they were able to support many locals who were facing a power outage. We appreciate all Washington energy utilities who were in action right after the weather event to restore our power and for showing much understanding and care to all of their customers. As we hear more about the aftermath of the windstorm, we can see the successful perseverance of Washingtonians during and after the bomb cyclone.
Sources:
Hermon Mekuria & Lamek Weldegebriel (RHS students)
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/20/weather/bomb-cylone-west-coast-washington-climate/index.html
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/stores-discard-food-power-outage
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/bomb-cyclone-damages
https://governor.wa.gov/news/2024/inslee-statement-extreme-weather-impacts-around-washington-0
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/king-county-warming-centers
https://www.instagram.com/pugetsoundenergy?igsh=cmtkMnh5ejlhZHpk
https://www.instagram.com/snopud?igsh=ZDdnNGNlbDJ0N3B6
Photo Credits:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/20/weather/bomb-cylone-west-coast-washington-climate/index.html
https://www.instagram.com/pugetsoundenergy?igsh=cmtkMnh5ejlhZHpk
