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, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.
12/1506
Big
Oregon Storm Takes Bite Out of Coast
|
Storm
surges already making a splash on Wednesday - just south of Depoe
Bay |
(Oregon Coast) –
High winds, driving rain, massive storm surges, flood watches and closed
roads are affecting the coast late Thursday night, and expected to do
so until perhaps as late as Friday afternoon.
The storm has brought
wind gusts as high as 75 mph to many areas along the coast, as well as
flooding and downed trees that sealed off parts of Highway 101 as well
as routes to the coast. The forecast calls for wind gusts up around 100
in some spots. All this has many residents and weather forecasters comparing
this storm to the 1995 monster that ripped off the roof of a large restaurant
in Newport and caused extensive damage all around the area.
|
Manzanita |
Winds are expected
to peak in the evening, with gusts higher on the beaches and headlands.
Power has been going
on and off all day on the coast, although most of Newport still had power
as of midnight. Seaside was without power most of the day, as were chunks
of the north coast and central coast. Some 18,000 residents were in blackout
conditions in Clatsop County alone on Thursday night.
Thursday, felled trees
had closed portions of Highway 26 and Highway 18 towards the coast, while
Highway 18 just outside of Lincoln City and Highway 6 near Tillamook were
closed due to flooding. All of those have been reopened, except Highway
6. However, delays from 20 minutes to two hours are still likely on 18
and 26, while some delays are still happening on 101 near Cannon Beach.
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 our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river
and Broadway St.
Suites are designed for two adults; vacation rental units for families.
All units have kitchen and many have fireplace, deck and jetted
tub. Enjoy comfy robes & slippers, luxury bath amenities, quality
linens and more. See us on The Travel Channel's "Great Escapes"
show in August 2006. 741 S. Downing St., Seaside. 800-738-6691.
www.SeasideSuites.com |
In Manzanita, San
Dune Motel owner Brian Hines said the power had been going on and off
for most of the day, only staying on for about 10 minutes at a time. “The
winds have been atrocious,” Hines said. “And the waves are
huge.”
He added he’d
been getting calls from folks in Mohler – along Highway 53, near
Manzanita – who were looking for a place to stay because they had
been asked to voluntarily leave after a flood watch was issued there.
|
Rockaway |
Newport resident Melissa
Haines said she came home to an outage around 3:30 p.m., but power was
restored within a few hours. Haines is a teacher at a school in Toledo,
and it shut down early in the day due to increasing winds.
Both Haines and Newport
Chamber spokesperson Lorna Davis had to drive Highway 20 between Toledo
and Newport, and described conditions and insane. “It was like ‘The
Wizard of Oz,’ with all this debris flying around that looked like
the flying monkeys scene.”
Davis estimated the
winds were around 80 mph in her area, but in fact the gusts were up to
75 or so at the time she talked to BeachConnection.net. “This definitely
is comparable to the ’95 storm,” she said.
|
Large
waves on Wednesday, just south of Depoe Bay |
Earlier in the evening,
while being interviewed by another media organization in Portland, she
heard a large thud on her house. Conditions were too wild to venture outside
to check, but it appeared as if part of a tree had fallen on her house,
she said.
Haines described some
of what she saw with the storm.
Inn
At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. It's Lincoln City’s only
resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms
- nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach.
Enjoy dining in the penthouse restaurant and bar - whether you’re
in the mood for a casual meal or a candlelight dinner. They offer
an array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest
favorites, including a decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from
bedrooms to studios to one-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators
to full kitchens. Hotel amenities include wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise
room and a year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game
room and easy beach access. Full-service conference and meeting
rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive, gorgeous wedding
possibilities. Near the south end of Lincoln City at 4009 SW Highway
101. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
“Sometimes,
the wind pushes really hard and the rain gets much harder, and it’s
all so thick it looks like fog,” she said. “It’s really
cool.”
Haines also saw some
lightning flashes around 10 p.m.
In Lincoln City, the
sign for a Thai restaurant was bent over by the fierce winds. In Seal
Rock, the highway was closed for a while due to unknown problems. As of
7 p.m., parts of 101 were also shut down around Cloverdale, Cannon Beach
and Gearhart, among other areas.
The Yaquina Bay bridge
was shut down for a time because of the extreme winds, as officials worried
about larger vehicles like trucks and school buses, which could be tipped
over.
Flood watches are
currently in effect for all rivers and bays along the Oregon coast.
Officials urge people
to stay far away from the surf at this time, as swells are extremely dangerous
and expected in the 30 to 40 foot range at times. This means no beach
areas are safe, and even sea walls like those in Newport or Lincoln City
may not protect the public from large, flying debris.
Erosion on beaches
is likely too, say officials.
High tides on Thursday
and Friday will likely mean some flooding by waterways fed by the sea.
The worst of the winds
are expected to be over around 2 a.m., says the National Weather Service.
Rain will likely be as much as five inches.
BeachConnection.net’s
Portland office, in the Raleigh Hills area, was also without power until
noon Friday. The entire neighborhood of SW 87th, part of the upper portion
of Canyon Road, and many of the neighborhoods just below and above were
dark all night and morning.
Lincoln
City Vacation Homes
There’s something for everyone
among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view
to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront
or just a few steps away from the sand – 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,
depending on the home: 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 are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with
complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home.
Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85
to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com.
541-994-8778.
|
DIVE
INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES
THE
TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years, The Tides has
been a favorite of Seaside visitors. History meets modern luxury
here. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Find
suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes,
one or two bedroom family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining
rooms. There are wonderful oceanview cottages that sleep anywhere
from two to eight people, with two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces
and kitchens.
Meanwhile, the heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds with picnic
tables and location at the quiet southern end of Seaside make for
some memorable means of play and repose. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846.
www.thetidesbythesea.com. |
BREATHTAKING
CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT
STARFISH
POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport
- and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish
Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All of the units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens,
wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private
decks - surrounding you in soothing relaxation. We have a friendly
staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140
NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com |
Tradewinds
Motel, Rockaway Beach
If expansive ocean views, close proximity to golfing,
fishing tours and quick access to seven miles of pristine beaches
is your thing, then this quintessential beauty in Rockaway Beach
is your ticket to vacation fun for families, couples or large groups.
Some rooms are pet friendly. All rooms at the Tradewinds Motel are
immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones with
data ports. The oceanfronts all have a queen bed, a double hide-a-bed,
kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and a private deck. Some oceanfront
units come with all those amenities but the kitchens. Both types
sleep up to four people. The non-oceanfront rooms are appointed
with a queen bed, small fridge, and coffee maker – sizable
for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on
a budget. There is an elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite that has
two bedrooms, coming with a kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace
and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For those wanting bigger
accommodations for family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings,
some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites.
523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938.
www.tradewinds-motel.com |
D
Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Getting a free,
fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the beginning. Every room
is beachfront, and it's all right up against Lincoln City's most
famous stretch of beach, next to the D River. Each room, comes as
a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some
have gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players with movies available
for renting (and movie rentals come with free popcorn). There's
a heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night.
Rooms sleep anywhere from two, four to six - including a deluxe
fireplace suite. Gift certificates are available, and they offer
special occasion packages as well. To make a reservation and see
a virtual tour of the rooms, visit our website at www.dsandsmotel.com.
171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
RELATED
STORIES
Annual
Holiday Events Bring Sparkle - and Secrets - to Oregon Coast From
the most glittering and well known to some hidden holiday celebrations
Stunning
Storm Watch Spots on Oregon's Coast Tips for some
stunning viewing of the wild waves of the season
Glass
Float Giveaway Begins on Central Oregon Coast Newport
starts its glass float extravaganza, with numerous other wonders
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
Sampling
Wines and Wine Bars on the Oregon Coast Wine shops
and wine bars are a growing part of coastal tourism
CONTACT
BEACH CONNECTION
|
|
SPECIAL
SECTIONS |
|
|
oregon
coast weather |
|
|
|
|
oregon
coast mileage chart & map |
day
trips, suggested itineraries |
Search
BeachConection.net's 800 pages |
OR
TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR |
ASTORIA
Where the Columbia
meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of
atmosphere & history |
SEASIDE
The Promenade,
Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches
|
CANNON
BEACH
A mysterious
lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries
& an art mecca |
NEHALEM
BAY
Manzanita's
beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway
|
TILLAMOOK
BAY
Garibaldi,
Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town
|
THREE
CAPES LOOP
The hidden
secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside,
Netarts and Pacific City
|
|
DEPOE
BAY
A spouting horn
downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales |
NEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling
bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses |
|
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix
of the rugged & upscale |
|
FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles
and miles of fluffy dunes |
|
|