Oregon Coast Raucous Roundup: Highest Gusts, Video, Photos

Published 03/10/2016 at 12:05 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast) – Wind gusts reached higher than 90 mph today on the Oregon coast, as a powerful storm toppled trees, blocked roadways, knocked out power for 20,000 and has even reportedly left one man dead. (Photo of Depoe Bay's Spouting Horn action today, courtesy Lauri Joki, Rock Your World Gallery).

Plenty of eyes were on the coast, however, to catch it on video and in pictures, capturing some dramatic and mammoth waves and moments.

Astoria saw a few gusts over 60 mph after 8 p.m., with the highest at 72 mph.

Cape Meares had a high wind gust at 92 mph about 7:30 p.m, while Mt. Hebo saw 90 at 2 p.m. Oceanside hit 56 mph around noon, while the counter at the beach at Pacific City registered 78 mph. Garibaldi had one register at 79 mph in the mid afternoon – although that station was reporting problems and was sometimes registering no winds.

Two of Lincoln City's gauges saw the low 50's.

Cape Foulweather close to Newport only registered its highest gust at 41 mph, in spite of being one of the highest spots on the Oregon coast. However, a site in the coast range, a ways inland from Newport, saw a peak gust of 79 mph. Yachats apparently only had a gust of 47 mph.

In Tillamook County, many in the northern towns of Garibaldi, Rockaway Beach, Nehalem and Manzanita were without power. The last report was of 20,000 residents, but this number is quickly dwindling late Wednesday night.

A tree blocked Highway 26 in both direction about four miles from the junction for much of the evening. However, that seems to be slowly moving as of 10 p.m. The Oregonian is reporting one man died at the scene when the tree fell on his car.

Another tree blocked Highway 101 south of Cannon Beach for awhile earlier in the day. At least one tree has blocked the route to the central coast along Highway 18, close to Grand Ronde.

Above: Cannon Beach earlier today, courtesy Tolovana Inn

A video from inside Seaside Aquarium displayed the power of these winds quite dramatically. Sands were getting violently whipped around, and you can distinctly hear the wind howling through the facility like a fireside ghost tale.

Above: stunning, enormous waves at Cape Kiwanda, courtesy Cape Kiwanda RV Resort

On the central Oregon coast, Rock Your World agate shop owner Laura Joki took dramatic video of Depoe Bay early in the day. The spouting horn was firing off in the distance, while closer to the camera you can see other areas turned into spouting spots as well. The seas here were chaotic and tumultuous.

Joki also grabbed considerable amounts of video at Lincoln City's Nelscott area where the waves were starting to tear up the beaches.

Some beach closures went into effect because of the massive tides and strong winds. Heceta Head Lighthouse's west parking lot has been closed due to a storm surge. Lighthouse tours were canceled for the day. Lincoln City's D River access in the middle of town was also closed due to hazards caused by raging surf. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this event - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

Big waves will continue over the weekend, but without quite as much bluster. You'll still get a chance to catch some gnarly breakers action from Friday through Monday, when seas will stick around 20 feet high or more.

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