California Storm Brings Snow, 60 mph Winds, and 68,000 Outages

A powerful late-season storm swept across California from May 16 to 18, delivering an unusual mix of rain, mountain snow, and damaging winds that left tens of thousands without power. According to the National Weather Service Los Angeles office, a high wind warning was issued effective from 9:02 PM on May 16 through 11:00 PM on May 17. Gusts reached 50 to 60 mph in several areas, toppling trees and bringing down power lines. As reported by CRNTT citing the Associated Press, more than 68,000 customers lost electricity during the storm.

Winds Turn Deadly

The wind proved deadly in the North Bay. According to the East Bay Times, a man died after being struck by a falling tree branch in Santa Rosa as high winds whipped through the region. The incident underscored the danger posed by mature trees in saturated soil—conditions that were made worse by the rain that preceded and accompanied the wind.

Across the state, the storm's impact varied by elevation. Mountain communities received late-season snowfall, while lower elevations faced the dual threat of flooding from rain and structural damage from wind. Transportation was disrupted, with downed trees blocking highways and local roads across multiple counties.

Outages and Recovery

The power outages were concentrated in northern and central California, where the combination of wind and saturated ground proved most destructive. Utility crews worked through the weekend to restore service, but the sporadic nature of the damage—scattered downed lines across a wide area—made the work slow. For residents, the storm was a reminder that California's weather extremes extend well beyond summer fire season into spring.

Conclusion:

The May storm in California delivered a rare mix of snow, rain, and deadly wind. For the 68,000 who lost power, a compact backup battery could have kept essential devices running through the worst of it. Kingboss offers portable power solutions for unpredictable weather in every season.

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