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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.

12/14/06

Secrets of the Season

Enormous Oregon Storm Wreaks Havoc on 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.

 

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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


LINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY
Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions
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

WALDPORT / SEAL ROCK
Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks

YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale

UPPER LANE COUNTY
25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders

FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

 

oregon coast lighthouses on dvd