Large Storm Begins Battering Oregon Coast

Aftermath of storm debris next to Cape Perpetua: storms left logs some 100 feet inland at the very corners of this cove (photo taken summer 2006)

(Oregon Coast) – It’s a mixture of excitement and worry on the Oregon coast as residents and tourists prepare for a bigger onslaught from nature on Sunday night. Winds of 70 or 80 mph are expected from the southern Washington coast down to the central Oregon coast, with the potential to down trees, power lines and create landslides.

A wind warning and a high surf warning are already in effect for much of the coastal region, and reports are beginning to come in of downed trees, flying debris, huge waves and excited hotel guests in the various cities.

The National Weather Service says the warnings are in effect until around 4 a.m. As of 7 p.m., the NWS also said high winds have been reported all over the coastal region, including Florence with a gust that clocked in at 63 mph. Newport has seen gusts from 41 mph to 58 mph, and Lincoln City has seen winds from 32 to 56 mph.

The NWS says a low-pressure area has developed off the coast, bringing the heavy winds and storm surges. The weather system has caused officials to warn hunters in large forest areas of southern Washington and Oregon to leave now, lest they get socked in by snow storms. A high wind warning has also been issued for the coast range mountains.

Huge incoming waves at Depoe Bay

In Astoria, Seaside Aquarium manager Keith Chandler said there was little action there when he spoke to BeachConnection.net, about 8 p.m.

Barbara Dau, owner of Arch Cape House, just south of Cannon Beach, said things were blustery there, but not severe. Still, she had taken in all the outdoor furniture. “I grabbed everything that could possibly move out there,” she said. “The guests are excited. They can’t wait to see what this storm brings.”

Waves at 35th St., Lincoln City

The central coast seemed to bear the biggest brunt early on Sunday evening, however the system may move in later and stronger on the north coast. BeachConnection.net’s Andre’ Hagestedt reports storm surges had really picked up between Newport and Neskowin, but the real winds didn’t hit until later in the evening.

Hagestedt photographed some of the tidal madness in Lincoln City and Depoe Bay.

“When we got to Neskowin, about 5 p.m., it wasn’t really raining,” Hagestedt said. “It kicked in – along with the winds – minutes later, while on the beach. The rain was so cold and so fast that it hurt my face.”

Hagestedt said he went to dinner in Newport around 7 p.m. and the winds were howling loudly around town. Garbage cans had been knocked over, debris was all over the forested areas of Highway 101, and the park overlooking Yaquina Bay had toppled trees in and fierce winds.

Storm surges bring waves up to the vegetation line in Lincoln City

“I had to give up trying to take pictures,” he said. “The wind really shoved me around.”

There are various reports of large amounts of tree limbs littering the highway from tourists around the coast, including one checkout clerk at a market in Newport who said one visitor told her driving Cape Foulweather was like “a video game” because of all the debris they had to avoid in their vehicle.

Nearby, at hotel Starfish Point, manager Danielle Emerick said things were getting quite adventurous at her oceanfront property.

“Gusts are around 70 to 80 mph, with sustained winds around 50 to 60 mph,” she said. “We are also getting a lot of rain - sideways rain. We have given our guests Emergency Power outage kits just in case. The lights have flickered on and off for a while now.”

Emerick said tree limbs have struck the buildings, some as large as four feet long, and two small flagpoles were snapped off. She said the fish bowls in the office were shaking because of the wind, and employees had to batten down recycling bins, take in garbage containers and anything that might even have the remote chance of moving.

“One guest that checked in said he could really feel the wind in the open areas of highway and beach on the way here from Lincoln City,” Emerick said.

Hagestedt his car was moved around violently in about two places.

Forecasters say this storm will be one of the most significant windstorms seen in the Northwest in recent history.

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