“Pineapple Express” abates leaving Northwest USA to clear up. by Steph Ball
The “Pineapple Express” is a sub-tropical jet which rises from the Pacific and sometimes brings warm, moisture laden air across some of the US West Coast states and the Canadian province of British Columbia. Its name comes from the fact that the air rises from Hawaii, where pineapples grow.
Yesterday one of these warm, Pacific storms finally abated after bringing days of torrential rain to Washington and Oregon states and also into southern British Columbia.
Northwest Oregon and west Washington were the worst affected areas, with torrential rains and rising floodwaters forcing hundreds to flee from their homes and businesses.
Rivers broke their banks and many roads were closed as the heavy rain triggered mud slides. Power outages affected thousands and were thought to have been caused by rain-soaked trees falling, bringing down power lines.
On Monday the governor of Washington, Gov Christine Gregoire was forced to declare a state of emergency over 18 counties after taking a helicopter tour of some of the flooded areas.
By Tuesday between 3 and 15 inches of rain was thought to have fallen over parts of Northwest Oregon, while the rain broke records across parts of Washington.
In the 5 days ending Tuesday, the airport in Olympia had seen 9.79inches ( previous record 8.3inches ). Seattle-Tacoma international Airport saw 7.57inches ( previous record of 5.59inches ). On Monday, Stampede Pass was said to have seen its highest rainfall ever in 24hrs, totting up 8.22inches.
With the storm having abated yesterday, it was thought that the floodwaters should now start to subside.
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