A major storm was sweeping across the northwest U.S., battering the region with strong winds and rain. It caused widespread power outages and downed trees that killed at least two people. Falling trees struck homes and littered roadways across northwest Washington, while about 530,000 customers were without power Wednesday morning. The deaths from fallen trees occurred Tuesday night at a homeless encampment in Lynnwood and a home in Bellevue, east of Seattle. The Weather Prediction Center issued excessive rainfall risks through Friday and hurricane-force wind warnings were in effect. The storm system is considered a “bomb cyclone,” which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly.