EXTREME WEATHER: Hurricane-Forced Wind Warnings Issued For Oregon, Washington Coast - 90mph Gusts Expected!

© Laura Joki

March 10, 2016 - UNITED STATES - The service issued wind advisories for several areas along Oregon and Washington's coast and inlands, while saying hurricane force winds could occur in coastal waters.

Forecasters expect peak winds of as much as 45 mph to hit the central and northern Oregon coast about 5 p.m. Wednesday and last through 11 p.m. Coastal residents and travelers should expect wind gusts of up to 85 mph along beaches and headlands, the service said.

Warnings for hurricane-force means winds must surpass 64 knots, or about 74 mph, according to the weather service. "We only use the hurricane-force terminology over the coastal waters," but equally strong winds along the coastal beaches carry significant potential damage, said Andy Bryant, a hydrologist with the weather service's Portland office.

Vessels should remain in port or take shelter until winds and waves subside. The winds are expected to be strong enough to damage trees, disrupt power and damage property. Travel could be hazardous. "Based on experience, we've anticipated and prepared for this weather and the outages that could occur," said Curtis Mansfield, vice president of operations for Pacific Power, which serves parts of Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. "Our crews are prepared to respond, and so we encourage our customers to be prepared as well."


WATCH: Wild winds and waves beat Oregon Coast.

Each home should have flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water and blankets.

Further inland, the Portland and Columbia River Gorge areas should see winds peak from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Thursday. South winds should reach 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Elsewhere, a winter weather advisory remains in effect along the Cascades through 4 p.m. Wednesday. Snow should fall at levels above 3,000 feet then rise to 5,000 later Wednesday. Drivers should be prepared for icy or snow covered roads.

This post was corrected to reflect that hurricane force warning has been issued six times for the Oregon coast since 2007. Early information from the National Weather Service provided an incorrect figure.

- The Oregonian.

 

GLOBAL COASTAL EVENT: "I've Never See A Big Wave Come In Like That" - Video Captures Stunning "Mini-Tsunami" Along Washington Coast! [PHOTOS + VIDEO]

A "rogue" wave rolled in and inundated Joe Creek near Pacific Beach. (Photo: Irene Sumi)

January 21, 2016 - WASHINGTON STATE, UNITED STATES - People on the Washington Coast got quite a show over the weekend when a "rogue" wave rolled in and inundated a creek and beach near Pacific Beach.

Irene Sumi was staying at a friend’s home, which overlooks the mouth of Joe Creek, and just happened to flip on her camera when the wave started to come in.

“The tide was coming in but that was definitely a rogue wave that came in quickly and big -- filled up the entire creek bed and beach,” she said.

Sumi says she visits the area regularly.

“I’ve never seen a big wave come in like that,” she said.

The wave was carrying logs and debris with it.

Several people got caught in what some are calling a "rogue wave" on the Washington Coast on Jan. 16.  MarTeam Photography

MarTeam Photography

MarTeam Photography

“It’s pretty dangerous when those waves roll through,” she said.

She posted the video on Facebook and some people compared it to a “mini tsunami.”

“That one you couldn’t run fast enough to get out of the way,” she said.

Steve Martin was with a group on the beach at Ocean Shores when the surge happened.

“I was up on the bluff and had not gone down to the beach yet, but was on my way,” he said.

Martin saw a police car coming right to left, then his friends saw the wave, as did the officer in the police car.

“He pulled a quick u-turn and gunned it to try and beat the wave as our friends were at a dead run towards the bluff. As you can see from the photo, they didn't make it,” he said. “No one was seriously injured, just pretty shook up.”


WATCH: 'Mini tsunami' along Washington coast caught on camera.

“It was probably 100 yards or so of beach that was suddenly gone,” said Martin.

The National Weather Service had issued warnings over the weekend about dangerous surf.

Ocean Shores firefighter Brian Ritter said he has never before seen the ocean behave the way it did that day.

“Multiple people were rolled and injured by this very fast surge,” he said. “These waves pack huge logs and debris traveling at dangerous speeds, causing major traumatic injuries.”

Ritter said the most vulnerable are the people that come to the beach to "storm watch" and actually set foot on the beach, potentially putting themselves at risk.

“Elderly and small children can easily become victims, as there were incidents on this day,” he said.

Ritter said people should pay attention to warnings and signage.

"Stay off coastal beaches during high surf warnings," he said. "Watch from afar. Mother Nature is unforgiving." - KING5.