Seattle, Washington – Western Washington was hit by a powerful storm known as a “bomb cyclone,” resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals. The storm, which struck Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, left thousands of customers without power, with some expected to remain in the dark for several days.

One woman tragically lost her life when a tree fell on her while she was showering, according to the Bellevue Fire Department. Another woman in her 50s was killed when a large tree collapsed on a homeless encampment in Lynnwood. The storm also led to at least five individuals being hospitalized for storm-related injuries, including one person in critical condition.

In addition to the loss of life and injuries, the storm caused significant power outages across western Washington. Seattle alone reported around 114,000 customers without power at the peak of the outages, the largest number since the 2006 Hanukkah Eve storm. The city faced road closures due to fallen trees and debris, with crews working to clear the affected areas.

Schools in the Puget Sound region were forced to cancel or delay classes, further highlighting the impact of the storm on the community. As of noon Wednesday, over 474,000 outages were reported across the region, with utility companies working to restore power to affected areas.

Meteorologists predict that the storm will gradually move out to sea on Wednesday, but residents may face another storm later in the week. Although not as intense as the “bomb cyclone,” the upcoming storm is expected to bring strong winds, continuing the challenging weather conditions for Washington residents.

The aftermath of the storm serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and potential dangers of severe weather events in the region. Authorities and residents alike are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for future inclement weather as the winter season progresses.