Bomb cyclone batters Pacific Northwest, killing at least two

A devastating bomb cyclone struck the Northwest and tore through Washington State, Oregon, and California yesterday morning, killing at least two people.

The storm with hurricane-force winds brought torrential rain, knocked down trees and caused widespread power outages. More than 300,000 homes and businesses were without power Wednesday night in Washington, Oregon and Northern California, per Poweroutage.us, down from ~600,000 earlier.

A rapidly intensifying cyclone, triggered by a sudden change in air pressure, came into contact with an atmospheric river, drenching the region in tremendous quantities of rain.

Over 16 inches of rainfall are forecast in Northern California and Oregon through Friday, with flood watches extending into the weekend. 

The Sierra Nevada faces blizzard conditions, with 15 inches of snow expected and wind gusts topping 75 mph. Authorities have warned of flash floods, rockslides, and debris flows.