At least five people have died after a "bomb cyclone" associated with an atmospheric river swept through California on Tuesday and Wednesday — unleashing heavy rain, powerful winds and at least one tornado.
Threat level: Tens of thousands of customers were still without power on Wednesday evening, mostly in the Bay Area — where meteorologists on Tuesday recorded data indicating the strongest-ever March storm, judging by atmospheric pressure. The threat of flooding and mudslides remained for several places.
A November 2021 leak at a World War II-era bulk fuel storage facility that contaminated the water system of an Oahu military base forced thousands of people from their homes.
Driving the news: Attorneys representing more than 100 plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the U.S. government over water contamination from the leak alleged in an amended complaint filed on Monday that residents weren't warned of their exposure to antifreeze and other additives in the jet fuel.
As the latest storm associated with a strong atmospheric river sweeps through California, already strained farmworkers across the state are bracing for yet another setback.
The big picture: The rounds of atmospheric river events have decimated crops and reduced work opportunities for many of the state's farmworkers, who lack access to social safety nets.
An intensifying storm associated with a strong atmospheric river hit Central to Southern California with heavy rains, damaging winds and heavy mountain snowfall on Tuesday.
Of note: It's an unusually intense March storm for Central California, with satellite and radar imagery exhibiting swirling clouds around the center — almost resembling a tropical cyclone.
