Falling tree kills man near Seattle as strong storm passes through West

WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- One person died near Seattle after a tree fell onto his vehicle during a strong storm moving into the western United States, bringing powerful winds, rain and snow.

The Seattle Fire Department said a man was killed at about 1:30 p.m. local time Sunday after a tree fell onto his SUV due to high winds. A toddler was in the vehicle and taken to Harborview Medical Center with minor injuries.

"My thoughts are with the family of the victims from today's tragic incident in Seward Park, and I urge all residents to exercise caution while this windstorm is in effect. If possible, please postpone any plans to travel until the storm passes," Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said in a statement.

The frontal system affected the West Coast from Washington to California. More than 200,000 people in Washington lost power at some point on Sunday. In California, a highway patrol officer was injured after being struck by an out-of-control vehicle while he provided traffic control amid snowy conditions on a mountain pass.

The National Weather Service warns the heaviest snow is likely to fall in the Cascades and northern Rockies, where 1 to 2 feet of snow is possible. The storm system is expected to reach the upper Midwest by Wednesday morning, likely dropping some snow in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.