Atmospheric River Unleashes Life-Threatening Pacific Northwest Floods

A days-long Pacific rainstorm packing the punch of a firehose continues drenching the Pacific Northwest this week, claiming at least two lives so far amid perilous flooding. Up to 9 inches of relentless rain fell since Saturday across the region in an event meteorologists dubbed an "atmospheric river" - essentially a long plume of extreme rainfall transported by strong winds from the Tropics.

When these moisture superhighways collide with mountain ranges like the Cascades or Rockies, stunning precipitation totals deluge the landscape below. That proved true this week when portions of coastal Washington and Oregon measured over half a foot of rainfall in just three days.

The staggering totals produced immediate flooding that turned deadly for two individuals while sounding the alarm across impacted communities.

On Tuesday rescuers near Portland discovered an adult male corpse tangled among tree branches in rapidly rising Bronson Creek. The tragic find continued 24 hours of emergency responses to overwhelmed waterways now covering roads, seeping into homes and claiming lives after months of regional drought concerns.

Rivers swelled multiple feet past flood stage and show no signs of receding as models forecast another 2 to 4 more inches of rain into Wednesday night.