January 2008 Western North American super storm
Encyclopedia
The January 2008 Western North American storm complex was a powerful Pacific Ocean
coastal storm that affected a large area in Western North America stretching from western British Columbia
to near the Tijuana, Mexico area starting on January 3, 2008. The system was responsible for flooding rains across many areas in California along with very strong winds locally exceeding hurricane force strength as well as heavy mountain snows across the Cascade
and Sierra Nevada mountain chains as well as those in Idaho, Utah and Colorado. The storms were responsible for the death of at least 12 people across three states and extensive damage to utility services as well as to some structures.
, beginning January 4, 2008. For January 4 and 5, general rainfall was around 2 inches (50.8 mm) of rain in Oregon and Utah
, while nearly 4 inches (101.6 mm) fell over parts of Nevada and as much as 10 inches (254 mm) in parts of California. Snowfall amounts for those two days reached as much as 70 inches (1,778 mm) in Blackcap Basin in California while many mountain regions of California, Nevada and Idaho
received between 1 and 5 feet (1.5 m) of snow. On the afternoon of January 6, Kirkwood Ski Resort reported 10 feet (3 m) of snow in 48 hours with a storm total of 11 feet. Widespread hurricane-force wind gusts were reported across most western states with winds reaching speeds of 100 mi/h or more. The highest reported wind gusts were 165 mph (260 km/h) in Tahoe City, California
. Waves were reported as high as 37.7 feet (11.5 m) offshore from Washington State, and pressure fell to 28.3 inch of mercury - the pressure equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.
was shut down in eastern California and western Nevada due to poor visibility and a 17-vehicle pile-up. Bay Area Rapid Transit
was also disrupted with significant delays to service and was even interrupted between San Francisco and Daly City
briefly due to fallen trees on the network's tracks.
Strong winds knocked power lines down causing power outages for 1.2 million Californians while several outages were reported in Washington and Oregon. About 500 miles (804.7 km) of California power lines were damaged by the storm.
The storm closed ski resorts, toppled trees, and created mudslides. Highways from Sacramento
to San Francisco were closed by debris. Meteorologists predicted about 10 feet (3 m) of snow by the end of the storms giving hope to Californians for more water for the year of 2008 following a drier than average 2007 water season and leading to an expected water shortage in 2008. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Orange County
in Southern California. On January 5, a canal levee ruptured near Reno, Nevada and flooded some 800 residences. At least 3000 people were rescued by helicopter from rooftops of flooded homes while cold temperatures hindered rescue efforts.
Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons
declared a state of emergency for Lyon County
. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
was called in for emergency assistance and distribution of food and water. Bank firm Wells Fargo
opened an account to collect donations for the residents of Fernley
. Residents began returning home on January 7. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
also declared a state of emergency for three counties while Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski
declared a state of emergency for Umatilla County
due to wind damage. At least 12 people were killed including two in California, eight in Utah and two in Oregon due to falling branches or trees, traffic accidents, and flooding. Eight of the fatalities were caused by the rollover of a charter bus in southeastern Utah.
7 people in one California home were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning from a lantern. Several other people, including snowmobilers and skiers, were missing in the mountain regions of Colorado
. Six snowmobilers were later found alive after calling for emergency services from a train station. A hiker went missing in the San Bernardino Mountains
. According to an analysis conducted by meteorologists, a storm this powerful hasn't struck California, since the 1997–1998 North American winter storm season(as of December 2009).
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
coastal storm that affected a large area in Western North America stretching from western British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
to near the Tijuana, Mexico area starting on January 3, 2008. The system was responsible for flooding rains across many areas in California along with very strong winds locally exceeding hurricane force strength as well as heavy mountain snows across the Cascade
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
and Sierra Nevada mountain chains as well as those in Idaho, Utah and Colorado. The storms were responsible for the death of at least 12 people across three states and extensive damage to utility services as well as to some structures.
Meteorological synopsis
The strong low pressure system responsible for much of the extreme weather (this was actually a series of three storms) traversed much of the Pacific Ocean before the first main wave arrived late on January 3, with the final major band of snow and rain affected much of the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to northern Mexico with precipitation continuing well into January 4 before weakening east of the Rockies. Heavy rain downpours, heavy snow and fierce winds lashed the west coast of most of CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, beginning January 4, 2008. For January 4 and 5, general rainfall was around 2 inches (50.8 mm) of rain in Oregon and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, while nearly 4 inches (101.6 mm) fell over parts of Nevada and as much as 10 inches (254 mm) in parts of California. Snowfall amounts for those two days reached as much as 70 inches (1,778 mm) in Blackcap Basin in California while many mountain regions of California, Nevada and Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
received between 1 and 5 feet (1.5 m) of snow. On the afternoon of January 6, Kirkwood Ski Resort reported 10 feet (3 m) of snow in 48 hours with a storm total of 11 feet. Widespread hurricane-force wind gusts were reported across most western states with winds reaching speeds of 100 mi/h or more. The highest reported wind gusts were 165 mph (260 km/h) in Tahoe City, California
Tahoe City, California
Tahoe City is an unincorporated community in Placer County, California. Tahoe City is located on Lake Tahoe, southeast of Donner Pass. It lies at an elevation of 6250 feet ....
. Waves were reported as high as 37.7 feet (11.5 m) offshore from Washington State, and pressure fell to 28.3 inch of mercury - the pressure equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.
Effects
Flights departing from San Francisco were grounded, while over 100 miles (160.9 km) of Interstate 80Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
was shut down in eastern California and western Nevada due to poor visibility and a 17-vehicle pile-up. Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy-rail public transit and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on of track with 44 stations in four counties...
was also disrupted with significant delays to service and was even interrupted between San Francisco and Daly City
Daly City, California
Daly City is the largest city in San Mateo County, California, United States, with a 2010 population of 101,123. Located immediately south of San Francisco, it is named in honor of businessman and landowner John Daly.-History:...
briefly due to fallen trees on the network's tracks.
Strong winds knocked power lines down causing power outages for 1.2 million Californians while several outages were reported in Washington and Oregon. About 500 miles (804.7 km) of California power lines were damaged by the storm.
The storm closed ski resorts, toppled trees, and created mudslides. Highways from Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
to San Francisco were closed by debris. Meteorologists predicted about 10 feet (3 m) of snow by the end of the storms giving hope to Californians for more water for the year of 2008 following a drier than average 2007 water season and leading to an expected water shortage in 2008. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
in Southern California. On January 5, a canal levee ruptured near Reno, Nevada and flooded some 800 residences. At least 3000 people were rescued by helicopter from rooftops of flooded homes while cold temperatures hindered rescue efforts.
Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons
Jim Gibbons
Jim Gibbons may refer to:*Jim Gibbons , Republican governor of Nevada*Jim Gibbons , Irish Fianna Fáil politician and government minister...
declared a state of emergency for Lyon County
Lyon County, Nevada
Lyon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,980. Its county seat is Yerington.-History:...
. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
was called in for emergency assistance and distribution of food and water. Bank firm Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
opened an account to collect donations for the residents of Fernley
Fernley, Nevada
Fernley is a city in Lyon County, Nevada, United States, within Reno-Sparks-Lake Tahoe metropolitan. The city incorporated in 2001, including land in Washoe County; prior to that it was a census-designated place . The population of the CDP was 8,543 at the 2000 census; the city itself had an...
. Residents began returning home on January 7. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
also declared a state of emergency for three counties while Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski
Ted Kulongoski
Theodore R. "Ted" Kulongoski is an American politician, who served as the 36th Governor of Oregon. A Democrat, he has served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as the state Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General, and an Associate Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court.-Early...
declared a state of emergency for Umatilla County
Umatilla County, Oregon
Umatilla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for the Umatilla River. In 2010, its population was 75,889...
due to wind damage. At least 12 people were killed including two in California, eight in Utah and two in Oregon due to falling branches or trees, traffic accidents, and flooding. Eight of the fatalities were caused by the rollover of a charter bus in southeastern Utah.
7 people in one California home were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning from a lantern. Several other people, including snowmobilers and skiers, were missing in the mountain regions of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Six snowmobilers were later found alive after calling for emergency services from a train station. A hiker went missing in the San Bernardino Mountains
San Bernardino Mountains
The San Bernardino Mountains are a short transverse mountain range north and east of San Bernardino in Southern California in the United States. The mountains run for approximately 60 miles east-west on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert in southwestern San Bernardino County, north of the...
. According to an analysis conducted by meteorologists, a storm this powerful hasn't struck California, since the 1997–1998 North American winter storm season(as of December 2009).
External links
- The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Storm Summary
- Photos of Nevada Levee Break (AccuWeather)
- Satellite Photos of the Storm (CIMSS)
- Storm Summary (NWS Hanford, CA)
- Storm Summary (NWS San Francisco)
- Storm Summary (NWS Pendleton, WA)