Axios

An atmospheric river event is sweeping the U.S. West Coast this week, bringing with it heavy rains, powerful winds and snow.

The big picture: The storm system triggered flooding in parts of Northern California, Oregon and Washington, leaving an estimated 190,000 customers without power early Wednesday. Forecasters warned more atmospheric rivers packing large amounts of moisture were expected later this week.

President Biden approved New York's emergency declaration request in response to the destructive winter storm that's claimed at least 28 lives in the state's west, the White House said Monday night.

Threat level: Winter storm warnings were in effect until 1pm Tuesday for New York's Jefferson and Lewis counties, where up to 12 inches of snow could fall, per the National Weather Service. Additional snow accumulations of up to 7 inches were possible in the blizzard-devastated Eerie County, the NWS said.

Editor's note: Follow new updates as New York responds to the extreme winter storm.

One of the worst blizzards in Buffalo's history has claimed the lives of at least 28 people in western New York, officials said Monday.

The latest: At least 27 of those people died in Erie County, many in the city of Buffalo, per a statement from county executive Mark Poloncarz Monday. Officials warned they expect the death toll to rise.