Severe Weather in the US Leads to Widespread Power Outages and 100-Vehicle Pileup
Local authorities indicated that the crash occurred amidst whiteout conditions, resulting in multiple injuries and some individuals being trapped in their vehicles.
A powerful series of storms swept through the United States on Thursday, bringing a combination of heavy rain, snow, and ice that resulted in evacuations, traffic collisions, and power outages across numerous states.
In Oregon, an extensive pileup involving over 100 vehicles took place on Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls, approximately 25 miles east of Portland.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported that the crash occurred in whiteout conditions, injuring multiple individuals, some of whom were trapped in their vehicles. During the incident, one SUV caught fire; fortunately, all occupants escaped safely.
Kyle Kennedy, a spokesperson for the Oregon State Police, confirmed that, as of Thursday afternoon, there had been no reported fatalities linked to the pileup.
In Southern California, residents prepared for what meteorologists described as the strongest atmospheric river of the season. The National Weather Service cautioned that the area could receive up to 6 inches of rain in mountainous regions and 3 inches along the coast and in valleys before the system departs on Friday, according to Brent Bower, a hydrologist with the agency.
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The risk of mudslides led to evacuation orders in Los Angeles neighborhoods recently impacted by wildfires, particularly in areas devastated by the Palisades Fire, the most destructive in the city’s history.
In Altadena, where the Eaton Fire recently ravaged thousands of homes, residents and officials took preventive measures by placing sandbags and concrete barriers to shield their properties.
“Any rain in California poses unexpected and unfortunate consequences,” remarked local resident Lowell Meyer. “And Altadena has steep streets, so concerns are rational. … I’m pleased to see people taking this seriously.”
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for the small community of Felton Grove along the central coast, alerting residents that remaining in the area “could pose a risk to personal safety and restrict the ability of medical or rescue personnel to reach you.”
The severe weather also impacted regions beyond the West Coast.
In the Northeast, schools throughout New England canceled or postponed classes due to treacherous road conditions created by snow and ice. Maine State Police reported a deadly accident involving a tractor-trailer on the Maine Turnpike that resulted in two fatalities.
In the South, suspected tornadoes caused destruction across various counties in Mississippi. The National Weather Service’s Jackson office announced plans to survey the affected regions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
