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Oregon Coast Storms Bring Mix of Glee, Preparation

(Oregon Coast) – As storm warnings come blowing in all over the media in full force, forecasting winds as high as 100 mph up and down the Oregon coast, local businesses prepare with a sense of humor as tourists come flocking in to check out the madness.

The National Weather Service says a high wind warning is in effect from 8 p.m. Friday until noon on Saturday, covering the southern Washington coast and north and central coast of Oregon. High winds are expected to hit the beaches by 11 p.m., also resulting in heavy winds in the Portland and Willamette Valley areas.

The storm will likely lessen to winds around 40 mph on Saturday.

All this has coastal residents getting ready in a variety of ways – usually with a good chuckle.

Matt Allen, manager of Lincoln City nightclub The Kodiak Bar & Grill, could only laugh about it. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow the Kodiak could be in Neskowin,” Allen said. “In other parts of the country, 95 mph wind gusts are called ‘hurricanes.’ Out here, we call it ‘wind.’ “
“What do we do to prepare? We'll do what we've always done: have a cocktail, crack a joke, and grab a fire hydrant.”

Earlier in the day, Danielle Emerick watched the beginnings of the storm in Newport, from the high vantage point of her lodging, Starfish Point.

“As I sit here in my office today, I have watched the waves build,” Emerick said about 5 p.m. “The wind was totally calm and is now reaching a strong breeze.

“We have taken down our flags, and any hanging pots or plants, and handed out emergency kits with water, flashlights, candles, etc. to our guests. Not having been through a really big storm before, I’m just looking around trying to figure out what to do. I have to admit I nervous with excitement as I watch the weather slowly but steadily change.”

In Cannon Beach, where the power was out three times in the last week, locals there are a little burned out on such power problems.

“At this point, everyone here is so tired of losing power that they are just ignoring the whole storm warning,” said one official from the Cannon Beach Chamber, half-kiddingly.

Just south of town, Barbara Dau, at the Arch Cape House, is lucky enough to have gas powering her stove and hot water heater. Her guests loved the power outages last week, with the candles, fireplace and rustic, off-the-cuff breakfast arrangements.

“There isn’t a battery, or battery operated lamp, or flashlight to be had in Manzanita, Arch Cape or Cannon Beach,” Dau said. “All the guests have had flashlights distributed. Candles are laid out. A fire is laid. What can we do? Thank heavens it is not too cold tonight.”

Candles and flashlights have become de rigueur at lodgings all across the coast.

The Spindrift Inn and San Dune Inn in Manzanita have issued flashlights, as have many other lodgings in Cannon Beach and Trollers Lodge in Depoe Bay.

Winston Laszlo at the Old Wheeler Hotel in Wheeler is lighting the hallways with candles, and has taken down the sign outside.

Across the street, Guido’s Ristorante has become the hangout during storms, since their cooking is done by gas.

“Guido's is storm proof,” said owner Ken Thompson. “Antique lanterns, Chianti bottle candles, and most importantly: the Giant Pizza oven is fired with gas. Candlelit restrooms, bartenders in miners’ caps: it's always party time, especially on these nights. We also have the Guido-mobile. We pick up and deliver people and pizzas. Actually it's even more cozy with the lights off. After all, everyone looks better in the dark.”

Emerick too joked about the coming storm and its various aspects, but with a special zeal. “We’re getting ready to Rock-n-Roll Oregon coast style,” she said in an email to Beach Connection. “Kowabunga! Surfs up!”

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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.
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