 |
 |
Oregon Coast Begins Massive Recovery Effort |
|---|
Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
12/04/07
Secrets of the Season |
Oregon Coast Begins Massive Recovery Effort
 |
| Cannon Beach during a recent storm |
(Oregon Coast) – The flood waters and the wind may have subsided along the Oregon coast, but residents and tourism businesses there are still struggling with primitive conditions caused by a lack of phone service and no power.
It will likely still be a day to a few days before most of the Oregon coast is back up to running normally, but even then there’s sizable damage to deal with.
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongowski has declared some of Oregon a disaster area, especially the Vernonia area in the coast range, where flooding has inundated the majority of that town.
 |
| Interesting storm debris - like this famous one at Lincoln City back in the 90's - will be abundant in the coming days |
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
As of Tuesday night, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Rockaway are still without power. Parts of the Tillamook area and Lincoln City have been restored. Depoe Bay had electricity again as of late Monday night.
Newport never really lost its power.
Phone service was restored to the Manzanita, Wheeler and Nehalem area, which run through a different company called Nehalemtel. Phone service is apparently back in Rockaway and Lincoln City as well, but power outages there may be preventing people from answering calls from BeachConnection.net.
The roads to the coast still have their problems. Highway 6 has been completely open since Monday, and although Highway 26 was reopened on Tuesday, a sinkhole about 30 miles west of Portland has closed it again.
 |
| Highway 6, between Portland and Tillamook, has been open since Monday |
Along Highway 53, near Nehalem, roommates Dave Sip and Dave Stewart said the PUD told them power may still be out for a week in their area. Stewart said he was just in the middle of discussing shower options with the other housemates: they may have access to other people’s homes that have generators.
STARFISH
POINT Newport - Offers only the finest in luxury condominium
lodging. Every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the
beach. |
“We’ve got the fireplace here, but it’s also been really warm today,” Stewart said.
Even though their home sits right on the banks of the Nehalem River – about 12 miles from Manzanita – Sip and Stewart said there was no flooding there.
Sip runs his own tree-trimming business and has been extremely busy cutting fallen trees that have fallen on people’s homes.
 |
| Seaside should be lit up with holiday decorations, but they're dark for another day or two |
“There was one guy where the tree fell on his house and he couldn’t get out,” Sip said. “I guess he was in there for an hour, calling for help, but no one could hear him.”
Sip cut apart many trees on Tuesday. While he and others in his field are not allowed to touch trees near power lines, he could see the major task electrical workers had in store for them. “I could see a lot of downed power poles, and even some transformers in people’s yards.”
|
There was at least one fatality in the Nehalem Bay area. A woman in a black pickup on Highway 53 was swept away by floodwaters. Rescuers gave up the search for her at dusk on Tuesday. Another person has reportedly gone missing in the flood there, although that has not been confirmed by authorities.
 |
| Storms often leave interesting objects, such as this massive pile of bull kelp (photo Tiffany Boothe) |
In Depoe Bay, Trollers Lodge owner Peg Leoni emailed BeachConnection.net around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, proclaiming the power had just come back on. She too incurred damage during the storm.
“Our big sign fried when a 7500-volt wire broke and smacked it,” Leoni said. “We're all ok.”
In towns like Lincoln City and Seaside, where the power has been out a while, restaurants and markets have begun losing their inventory of food.
Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
In Seaside and Nehalem, there were enormous lines at gas stations, as residents and stranded tourists tried to get enough gas to get home or for their generators. Some stations were rationing gas to $5 per purchase.
Stewart said he filled up on Sunday before the storm hit. His housemate Sip said he saw a tanker truck at the gas station in Nehalem on Sunday and on Tuesday. “So they’re getting supplied,” he said. “Gas is getting through and not running out. I even checked the price on the sign and it was still $3.20 a gallon.”
Some readers have emailed BeachConnection.net with questions. One man had a reservation at the SurfSand Resort in Cannon Beach for Wednesday, but couldn’t get through. He also wondered if power was back yet.
 |
| Big storms sometimes change the landscape, like here in Oceanside, where tides tore apart an arch several years ago, turning it into two sea stacks (in the distance) |
Tourism experts say there will be a bright side to all this in a few days. Once power and phone service are back to normal in most of the coastal towns, this will be an excellent time to run out to the beaches to see the many, often historic changes. Visitors will be able to photograph some of the wild damage to the area, which is predicted to be some of the worst in decades. Beachcombing will be especially intriguing, as large storm always churn up interesting finds on the beaches.
There will likely be some sizable changes to many beaches along the Oregon coast. Sand levels could be scoured to awe-inspiring, lower levels, leaving some spectacular oddities and ancient structures visible. Storm surges likely changed the shape of various rock and cliff structures as well.
Stay tuned to BeachConnection.net for more of these discoveries over the next few days.
 |
 |
 |
A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside
Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites,
1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people.
Rent entire property for 20-26. Close to beach, river and Broadway
St. |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
 |
 |
 |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
RELATED STORIES
Prepare for Freaky, Creepy Mole Crabs on Oregon Coast Beaches The little critters make the tideline bubble and feel really weird as they run across your feet
Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights
Structures Found on Oregon Beach May Be 80,000 Years Old - They are the remnants of a forest apparently 80,000 years old, found at Hug Point
Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities
Oregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reports
