MOSCOW, December 4 (Sputnik) – A powerful Pacific storm has pummeled the US West Coast with heavy rains, snowfalls and strong winds leaving two people dead, Reuters reports.
"In certain parts of the West Coast this could be the most significant storm in 10 years," said Eric Boldt, a meteorologist at the US National Weather Service, as quoted by the news agency.
A teenager was killed after a tree fell, forcing an adult driver to turn and hit another tree. The adult sustained serious injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital.
165,000 people were left without electricity in the state of Washington, according to local utility companies.
The storm caused massive blackouts and flooding in California, with San Francisco Bay Area hit especially hard. City authorities were forced to replace the cable car system with shuttle buses and temporarily shut down a subway station. Over 200 flights were canceled at San Francisco International Airport. Some ferries were canceled as well.
An 11-year-old child was injured at an elementary school in the city of Santa Cruz, California. A fir tree fell pinning him down. He was rescued by emergency workers, who had to use chainsaw to set him free, the Associated Press reported.
The storm, expected to last through Friday, will not affect severe drought in California. The storm is powered by a phenomenon, dubbed Pineapple Express – a powerful stream transporting warm air and moisture from Hawaii to the US.
