Satellite images show storm swirling toward US west coast

Satellite images show a massive atmospheric river known as a “Pineapple Express” barrelling towards the US West Coast on Wednesday, with torrential rain and powerful winds raising the threat of heavy flooding and landslides. The “Pineapple Express” - so called because it originates near Hawai’i in the tropical Pacific - is the first of two systems to hit the region in the coming days. Excessive rainfall is expected from the southern Oregon coast down through central California on Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported. Up to three inches of rain is expected in the Sacramento Valley. Heavy snow is also expected at higher elevations, and local authorities warned that scattered flash flooding and landslides, due to oversaturated soils, were possible. Watch more on Independent TV: Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen.