Key Takeaways:
- A blast of arctic air is sweeping south from Canada, bringing bitter cold temperatures to the Midwest and Southern states.
- The Pacific Northwest is recovering from catastrophic flooding, with thousands of people evacuated and thousands of animals rescued.
- The floodwaters are expected to remain high for several days, with a threat of more rain forecast for Sunday and potential levee failures or mudslides.
- The cold weather is expected to continue pushing south and east over the weekend, expanding into Southern states by Sunday.
- The flooding has caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to properties, with many residents worried about the potential for further damage.
Introduction to the Weather Crisis
The United States is facing a severe weather crisis, with a blast of arctic air sweeping south from Canada and bringing bitter cold temperatures to the Midwest and Southern states. At the same time, the Pacific Northwest is recovering from catastrophic flooding, with thousands of people evacuated and thousands of animals rescued. The flooding has been caused by an unusually strong atmospheric river that dumped a foot or more of rain in parts of western and central Washington over several days, swelled rivers, and inundated communities.
The Flooding in the Pacific Northwest
The flooding in the Pacific Northwest has been particularly severe, with thousands of people forced to evacuate towns in the region. The floodwaters have been slow to recede, and authorities warn that waters will remain high for days, with a threat of more rain forecast for Sunday and potential levee failures or mudslides. Many animals have also been evacuated, with roughly 170 horses, 140 chickens, and 90 goats saved from the floodwaters and being cared for at a county park north of Seattle. The record floodwaters have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to properties, with many residents worried about the potential for further damage.
The Rescue Efforts
The rescue efforts in the Pacific Northwest have been dramatic, with deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Office marine rescue dive unit rescuing people and animals from rooftops and vehicles. One such rescue was captured on video, showing a family being rescued from their home, which had been transformed into a lake. The rescue efforts have been ongoing, with officials conducting dozens of water rescues as debris and mudslides have closed highways and raging torrents have washed out roads and bridges.
The Cold Weather in the Midwest
As the Pacific Northwest begins to recover from the deluge, a separate weather system is already bringing dangerous wind-chill values to parts of the Upper Midwest. The cold air mass is expected to continue pushing south and east over the weekend, expanding into Southern states by Sunday. The National Weather Service has issued cold weather advisories that stretch as far south as the Alabama state capital city of Montgomery, where temperatures late Sunday night into Monday morning are expected to plummet to around 22 F. The cold weather is expected to be particularly severe in big cities like Minneapolis and Chicago, with low temperatures expected to drop to around minus 15 F and 1 F, respectively.
The Aftermath of the Flooding
The aftermath of the flooding in the Pacific Northwest is expected to be long and challenging, with thousands of people affected and thousands of animals rescued. The floodwaters are expected to remain high for several days, and there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides. The record floodwaters have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to properties, with many residents worried about the potential for further damage. As the region begins to recover, officials are warning of the potential for more rain forecast for Sunday, which could add to the already severe flooding.
The Road to Recovery
The road to recovery for the Pacific Northwest will be long and challenging, with thousands of people affected and thousands of animals rescued. The region will need to come together to support those affected by the flooding, with many residents facing significant damage to their properties. The government will also need to play a role in the recovery efforts, with officials working to provide support and resources to those affected. As the region begins to recover, it is clear that the impact of the flooding will be felt for a long time to come.
