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Big Storm Headed for Oregon Coast - w Some Surprises

Manzanita during a storm: watch out for the high points above town on Neahkanie Mt. during high winds.

(Oregon Coast) – Some major winds and rain are being predicted for not only the Oregon coast but the coast range as well, as a heavy-handed storm system is expected to hit the shoreline about midnight on Thursday morning, and then peak in the early morning hours.

State officials have issued a high wind watch for that part of the state, where sustained winds of 35 – 50 mph are expected, along with the gusts as high as 70 mph. Locals are well prepared, and some have imparted some interesting secrets for watching these storms – as well as solid warnings.

Damage usually begins to occur at around 40 mph – the range of winds which the Portland area is expected to get hit with.

Rain is likely to reach the two-inch mark on the coastline.

Big waves lashing the central coast

The high wind watch covers central coast range towns like Grande Ronde, Tidewater and Swisshome. On the north coast, the high wind watch is for all the towns from Astoria down to Florence, as well as parts of the southern Washington coast. This means the drive to the coast could be perilous as well, with the possibility of felled trees along those inland routes.

The southern Oregon coast, including towns like Coos Bay, Coquille and Brookings, is the subject of the more severe high wind warning.

South winds are expected to increase to 30 to 40 miles an hour along ridges and other exposed locations -- with peak gusts reaching 65 miles per hour.

By Thursday afternoon, most of it should be over on the coast, but the Portland area will still receive some heavy winds and rain for a while into the day.

The basalt bluffs of Depoe Bay are especially interesting in such conditions, as the rocks vibrate from storm waves

Coastal residents and business people are largely prepared on a constant basis. They live with these occasional flurries of tempestuous weather throughout the season and are used to it.

“We are ready,” exclaimed Dianna Dunlap, who runs a handful of hotels in the Lincoln City, like Starfish Manor Hotel and Beachfront Manor Hotel, among others. She’s visibly excited by the prospect of a major monster weather system making a display.

“As with any storm headed this way, we prepare a bit for the power to go out,” she said. “Although it doesn't usually happen. Things like flashlights in the rooms, etc. All of our rooms and suites have fireplaces and our fireplaces are gas - so still cozy warm.

“We are always ready for storm watching. What better way to watch the wild waves than sitting in a jacuzzi tub overlooking the ocean with a cozy fire going.”

The possibilities for fun are also evident in Guy DiTorrice, a beach expert in Newport and a fossil tour guide known as Oregon Fossil Guy.

Florence's Siuslaw Bridge: such bridges pose risks in high winds

“Always excited to hear about the potential for big storms,” said DiTorrice. “The good news is the commercial crab fleet is not out there, so they won't need to worry about impacts on boats, gear and crews.”

In Depoe Bay, chamber of commerce head Carole Barkhurst talked about some awe-inspiring conditions the coast already presented, and some interesting details to be witnessed from her vantage point of a home along some rocky bluffs.

“Thunder and lightning is rare on the ocean and so spectacular to watch,” Barkhurst said. “Last night’s very wet storm gave us all of that and more.”

Look for weird stuff like this gigantic pile of sea stuff after big storms

She talked about ever-growing wild conditions in her area on Wednesday afternoon. “Currently the surf is very rough and the spouting horns are shooting over my house. The great thing about living on top of basalt caves is the great rumblings you feel under your feet at times like this.”

Peg Leoni, of Trollers Lodge in Depoe Bay, jokingly scoffed at the fairly mellow conditions she was seeing early in the afternoon. “Just fall and winter weather here,” she said. “No big deal so far. Just fun to watch.”

Her motel’s website has a webcam where you can watch the tidal melee.

Seaside's "cove" area is often a wild place when big storms bring massive waves

But at least a few out on the coast were skeptical about the upcoming tempest, considering the big brouhaha that was made two weeks ago about a storm that never happened.

One of those is Seaside’s Mike Exinger, who owns Zinger’s Homemade Ice Cream. “Well, it’s kind’a like the boy who cried wolf,” he said. “We all prepped for a biggie last week, and phhhhtt. I’ll believe it when I see it, since October is a little early for this kind of thing. Still, I have indoors-type tasks to do tomorrow, thank you.”

At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, DiTorrice reported seeing some activity on the ocean. “Observing small whitecaps near shore and in the surf line at Agate Beach, and north of Newport,” he said. “But no large swells on the beaches here yet.”

But by 8 p.m., he was starting to have his doubts. “The barometer has been climbing - versus dropping – in the last six hours,” he said. “Gonna take a whole lot of jet stream work and shifting fronts for us to get big wind.”

Big surges hitting Lincoln City

Still, the possibility of a big storm means some big warnings as well, especially for those who head out to the beaches to catch the craziness.

“Storm-watchers need to be very cautious about where they go to observe, remembering that winds with big gusts could send pieces of the beach toward one and/or one's vehicle,” he said. “Smart to stay off the beach, opting for a higher, safer point for observing. Remember that we lost a couple tourists last year who were sitting on a sandstone headland undercut by huge waves taking them out to sea.”

Driving along high bluffs like Cape Foulweather, above Manzanita, or long bridges like those in Waldport, Newport and Florence also pose some risks, or at least scary moments.

“People driving need to remember that higher bluffs and high-span bridges tend to get even higher winds and gusts due to their location,” DiTorrice said. “One needs to be extremely careful driving higher-profile vehicles, like RVs, vans or trailers, as one solid gust could ruin the trip for the day.”

DiTorrice also noted some fun little details about the landscape of the coast, and how storms will shape them. This is a process that’s part spectacular cinema, and part freaky geology, and it all spells some good beachcombing after the storm.

“With so much sand stacked onto the beaches of the central Oregon coast, it’s going to take a few storms similar to the ones earlier this month to migrate any of it off the shore,” DiTorrice said. “Considering it’s early fall, we should see a fair amount of kelp and seaweed brought up onto the beaches as well as any flotsam and jetsam that's bobbing around out there in the Pacific.”

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.

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