Language
Country/Area
No result found
The Great Coastal Storm of 2007: How Did This Disaster Change the Climate History of the Pacific Northwest?
The 2007 Great Coastal Storms were a series of three severe Pacific storms that struck the United States states of Oregon and Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia between December 1 and December 4, 2007. The storms brought prolonged storms with hurricane-force winds up to 137 mph (220 kph) on December 2 and 3, killing at least 18 people and causing widespread flooding. and recorded precipitation.
The meteorological background of this storm can be traced back to November 29, when a strong low-pressure system formed in the central Pacific Ocean and was facilitated by the residual energy of the typhoon, eventually moving towards the northwest Pacific Ocean.
Forecasters issued their first warnings of hurricane-force winds for coastal Oregon as the weather service's sirens sounded. On December 1, 2007, the first storms began to affect the area, and with them came the most amazing weather phenomena imaginable.
The destructive nature of this storm was truly demonstrated with strong winds, with extreme winds of over 100 mph (160 kph) reported across the coast.
Weather Summary
The coastal storm's sudden nature has alarmed experts, especially as secondary and tertiary storms approached, with the National Weather Service reporting that once-excellent wind forecasts were challenged.
In Holy Cross, Washington, a weather station recorded winds of 137 mph, which was exacerbated by low December temperatures.
In Oregon, a second storm on December 2 caused rapid flooding in dry areas to the north and south. Drastic climate change is posing a life-or-death challenge to residents riding bicycles, with the foam splashing in many places overwhelming.
Impact of the Storm
The damage caused by the storm in Washington and Oregon is difficult to estimate. In Washington state alone, as many as 75,000 residents lost power and some reported being forced to evacuate due to strong winds.
According to local government reports, train service from Portland to Washington was stopped due to flooding, and major traffic arteries were forced to close due to flooding, forcing many residents to evacuate.
With strong winds and jet streams approaching quickly, many cities and communities are facing unprecedented obstacles and challenges. The evacuation of personnel is still in progress, but the disastrous consequences cannot be ignored. The governor of Washington state declared a state of emergency and said the damage would exceed $1 billion. Soon, the storm began to spread from the northwestern United States to other parts of the country.
Death and loss
Direct damage from the storm exceeded $300 million, with flooding and collapsed infrastructure leaving local communities devastated. At the same time, the amount of indirect losses is predicted to even exceed the direct losses.
The storm's impact was widespread, even reaching as far as Canada, with residents in northern provinces bearing the brunt of the damage.
Many lives were lost in the storm, and damage was extensive to the region's forestry and infrastructure. Experts pointed out that the impact of this storm will continue to manifest itself in the coming years and will become an important turning point in climate history.
Reflections on the Future
Can the region's climate patterns improve over time? Can the lessons learned from this storm better guide our future efforts to combat natural disasters?
Will this storm be a new beginning for us to face similar crises in the future?
