A state of emergency was declared in Washington state late Wednesday after a deadly storm blew down trees, triggered mudslides and left thousands of people without power.
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Falling trees were responsible for at least three deaths during Tuesday’s wind storm.
A woman in her 50s was killed when a tree fell in Spokane.
A man in his mid-20s was killed when a tree crushed his vehicle as he was driving near Sultan in Snohomish County. Their identities were not yet available.
The third victim, identified by authorities as Carolyn M. Wilford, 70, died of head injuries after a tree landed on her vehicle on Highway 904 about 15 miles southwest of Spokane.
Fallen trees blocked streets and slowed commutes in Spokane, and officials asked people to stay home and off roadways if possible.
The National Weather Service has forecast rain and wind for much of the week (see video that leads off this article for forecast details).
To the north, in Snohomish County, the public utility district said about 65,000 customers were without power on Wednesday morning, compared with 150,000 the night before.
Crews say damage is so widespread there is no estimate when damage will be restored.
The utility company said the aftermath of the Tuesday’s storm is the largest crisis they have experienced in the company’s 126-year history, and that the entire region has been significantly impacted. Spokane County said they have 30 sites that still need to be cleared of debris from Tuesday’s historic wind storm.
The woman, who had a few scratches but was not hurt, was helped out of the house by firefighters.
She told officials that she had gone to bed earlier than usual Tuesday because her home lost power in the storm.
The city closed schools after winds up to 113km/h tore through the area. Gonzaga, Whitworth, Washington State-Spokane and Eastern Washington universities were shut down Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service Spokane branch, gusts of wind of up to 77 miles per hour were reported in Spangle.
Strong winds and an extended downpour caused fewer problems in OR, but roughly 7,000 Portland General Electric customers remain without power in the Portland area.
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A Seattle metro bus was damaged by high winds Tuesday as heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow continue to pound the Pacific Northwest.
