BREAKING NEWS: Bomb cyclone hits Cupertino

Bomb cyclone in the Pacific Ocean causes high winds, storm warnings and power outages in the Bay Area

High+winds+cause+a+tree+to+fall+on+Mann+Drive%2C+blocking+a+parking+lot+and+the+sidewalk.+

Lillian Wang

High winds cause a tree to fall on Mann Drive, blocking a parking lot and the sidewalk.

Ananya Chaudhary

A bomb cyclone over the Pacific Ocean brought powerful storms to the Bay Area starting Wednesday, Jan. 4, causing heavy rain, high wind warnings and power outages in Santa Clara County. 

Cupertino was placed under a high wind warning from 4 a.m. on Jan. 4 until 10 a.m. on Jan. 5. A flood watch was issued from 5:42 a.m. on Jan. 5 until 3 a.m. on Jan. 6. 

Power outages due to strong winds and rain affected approximately 70,891 PG&E customers in the Bay Area, 13,861 of which are in the South Bay. The storms have caused excess water on streets, as well as tree branches, to fall and block roads. 

To address these issues, the City of Cupertino has deployed crew members to clear fallen trees and distribute free sandbags for Cupertino residents. In an email, City Councilmember Hung Wei said that street crew workers have been performing advanced inspections and cleaning storm drains in the city to help clear roadway flooding and ensure safe driving conditions. 

“[These] days of rain are needed, but these hard-working crews are needed more to make the wet days safe for residents and visitors,” Wei said. “I’d like to express our appreciation on behalf of Cupertino residents for their hard work, and to their families’ sacrifice for their loved ones’ absence during the holiday to serve our city. They are our everyday warriors.”

Cupertino City’s Emergency Manager, Tom Chin, has been working closely with the Public Works Department and the Office of Communication to prepare for the impending weather. In an email update, Chin said “Subsequent weather systems are projected to bring additional precipitation and periods of stronger winds this weekend and next week.”