A series of powerful storms swept across the United States on Thursday unleashing a mix of heavy rain, snow, and ice that led to evacuations, traffic accidents, and power outages in several states.
In Oregon, a massive pileup involving more than 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls, about 25 miles east of Portland.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported that the accident happened in whiteout conditions and multiple people were injured, with some trapped in their vehicle. One SUV caught fire during the incident, but everyone inside safely escaped.
Kyle Kennedy, a spokesperson for the Oregon State Police, confirmed that there had been no reported deaths from the pileup as of Thursday afternoon.
In Southern California, residents braced for what meteorologists described as the strongest atmospheric river of the season. The National Weather Service warned that the region could receive up to 6 inches of rain in mountainous areas and 3 inches along the coast and in valleys before the system moves out on Friday, according to Brent Bower, a hydrologist with the agency.
The looming threat of mudslides prompted evacuation orders in Los Angeles neighborhoods recently affected by wildfires, including areas ravaged by the Palisades Fire, the most destructive in the city’s history.
In Altadena, where the Eaton Fire recently destroyed thousands of homes, residents and officials took precautionary measures, placing sandbags and concrete barriers in areas to protect their homes.
“Any rain in California comes with unexpected and unfortunate consequences,” local resident Lowell Meyer said. “And Altadena has steep streets, so it makes sense that there should be concerns. ... I’m glad to see that people are taking it seriously.”
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for the small community of Felton Grove along the central coast, warning that remaining in the area “could cause a risk to personal safety and limit the ability of medical or rescue personnel to get to you.”
The severe weather wasn’t limited to the West Coast.
In the Northeast, schools across New England canceled or delayed classes due to dangerous road conditions caused by snow and ice. Maine State Police reported a fatal crash involving a tractor-trailer on the Maine Turnpike that claimed two lives.
In the South, suspected tornadoes caused damage in several Mississippi counties. The National Weather Service’s Jackson office announced plans to survey the affected areas.
