Biggest Oregon / Washington Coast Stories of 2024: Aurora, Tornado, Crumbling Landmark, Mysteries

Published 01/02/25 at 4:45 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) – 2024 will go down in the history books as quite the eventful year for the Pacific coast. (Photo Ron Tatti: arch that crumbled at Newport in 2023)

A puzzling disappearance of tourists, one particularly gnarly quake, rescuing dogs from the ocean, deadly shellfish poisoning that affects two states and a whale tale or two were part of the big news of the year. Then there were an unusual amount of oddities and stunners in the skies, like a tornado, a dramatic comet, green fireball, and of course all that aurora borealis action. King tides and other storms were - obviously - quite popular.

Some of the top articles here go by readership numbers and others by impact or uniqueness – which often include both criteria.

The year started off with a massive bang, in terms of interest: a stalwart old arch around Newport had crumbled earlier in the year, but few knew about it. The ancient sandstone structure just disappeared the previous winter, and the story of its geology brought 100s of thousands of readers. Beloved Beach Arch in Newport Crumbles, Leaving Oregon Coast With Bit of Geologic Mystery

An usual amount of stuff happened in May, including the mysterious disappearance of a pair of tourists at Oceanside. Tillamook County authorities received a 911 call in the middle of the night that some people were screaming for help at Maxwell Point. The next day, a pair of bikes were found left nearby – and to this day authorities have no clue where they are. 'Very Weird' Case on N. Oregon Coast: Is Someone Missing at Oceanside After Cries for Help?

Late 2023 had seen the release of the newest Dune movie, originally from a series of books by Frank Herbert. It turns out, he was inspired by his time around the Florence area and his research on sand at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Dune Novels, Movies Began with Frank Herbert's Visit to Florence

A hapless sea lion at showed up at Newport with very serious injuries, literally with chunks taken out of him by a predator. No one liked that the poor creature had to be put down, but he was in far too much pain, said wildlife experts. Sea Lion Humanely Euthanized After Shark Takes Piece Out of It

ODFW

Really bizarre and alarming were the sudden appearances of black, oily tar-like balls along the Washington and Oregon coastlines. It was eventually confirmed to be petroleum-based, but no other details have come out since that event.

The actual source of the petroleum blobs was never confirmed, although US Coast Guard helicopter flyovers had briefly discovered an oil sheen about a mile and a half west of Cannon Beach. While that object disappeared quickly, tar balls were found as far south as Bandon.

At least 20 birds were rescued by various wildlife officials after getting covered in the stuff, but at least twice that died from the substance. Some Progress in Search for Cause of Oregon - Washington Coast Black Substance

At one point in the year, a dead and bloated humpback whale corpse was filmed offshore. It landed near Manzanita, and for a bit the whole thing went intensely viral as some actually started to misinform the public that officials were going to blow up the whale. No, No One is Blowing Up Manzanita Whale

Courtesy CoastWatch

In August, something unusual happened near Newport – something that doesn't normally happen in summer. Bedrock Showing, New Fishing Holes Forming at Oregon Coast Beach, No One Sure Why

Courtesy April Gleason

One feature piece that captivated readers was the article about “What Are Those Yellow Beach Access Signs For?” A bunch of lion's mane jellies washed up and those really grabbed interest as well.

Dogs getting hurt and needing rescue was unfortunately a thing in 2024. Among them was this lovely pyranees: Dog Injured on Hike, Needed Rescue Due to Wire Mesh in Trail

Quite alarming was the pervasive shellfish poison event that took hold of both Washington and Oregon. It started with over 20 people getting seriously ill from mussels harvested near Oceanside, but grew to all shellfish harvesting getting closed down in both states for a time. Oregon and Washington Coasts Shut Down All Shellfish

In October, a rather large underwater quake spooked a few (Sizable Magnitude 6.0 Quake, Aftershocks Possible). That was nothing compared to the tsunami evacuation that took place later in the year after a major quake off California. Luckily, nothing came of any of it. Offshore Quake Thursday Creates Tsunami Warning, Evacuations

Newport Parks and Rec

From the skies came two of the biggest stories. Aurora borealis curtains of celestial light hit an all-time high all around the Earth, and Oregon and Washington coastlines were especially graced at times. Out of Bandon Came Some of the Most Intense Aurora Shots

Comet Atlas 3 / Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Then there was that wild comet way out in space – also one of the most photographed events ever around the globe. Comet ATLAS Captured Above Oregon - Photos, Video

Another incident grabbing attention was a massive green fireball spotted all over the state Green Fireball Fires Up Portland, Washington, Eugene, Oregon Coast - Video (and we saw our own as well, back in March, seen on the Washington coast as well - Spectacular Green Fireball Lights Up Oregon Valley Through Washington Coast).

A waterspout-turned-tornado tore up Rockaway Beach a little late in the year, making a massive splash then. Confirmed: Waterspout Touches Down on N. Oregon Coast Becomes Tornado in Rockaway Beach

 

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