Winter Storm — Lower Columbia, Oregon

2001-11-27 to 2001-11-28 · Lower Columbia, Oregon

Wider weather episode

A powerful storm moved into Northwest Oregon bringing high winds, rain and heavy snows to the region. Bouy 050 near Newport reported winds to 54 mph with gusts to 74 mph, Siuslaw 69 mph, Garibaldi 67 mph, and Bouy 29 at the Mouth of the Columbia River 45 gusts to 59 mph. In addition, Florence reported winds to 66 mph gusts to 78 mph, Netarts 70 mph with gusts to 80 mph, Gleneden Beach 60 mph with gusts to 85 mph, the Newport Airport 63 mph with gusts to 82 mph, Seaside gusts to 67 mph and Astoria gusts to 61 mph. In the Coastal Mountains Cedar had gusts to 64 mph and Cannibal gusts to 70 mph. In the North Oregon Cascades snowfall amounts were 20 inches at Timberline, 18 inches at Government Camp, 16 inches at Bennett Pass and Blue Box, 14 inches at Santiam Pass and 15 inches at Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood Meadows. In the Columbia River Gorge the Hood River area received 8 to 14 inches of snow. In the Willamette Valley 2 inches of snow was reported at Sylvan, McMinnville, Newburg and Banks. Some 24 hour rainfall totals included 3.70 inches at Lees Camp, 3.34 at Yellowstone RAWS, and 3.05 at Horse Creek RAWS. Utility companies reported widespread power outages - 12000 in West Benton and Lane Counties, 3600 in the Cottage Grove area, 1500 to 2000 in the Forest Grove, Banks, Salem area, 2700 in eastern Lincoln County and 150 in Lincoln City. Highway 126 between Mapleton and Noti was closed temporarily by downed trees. The Newport High School lost a section of its roof, estimated cost of repair is unknown. A barn was reportedly blown down at Blachly. An empty chip truck moving South on Highway 101 was toppled in the Nehalem Bay area, the driver escaped with a few bruises. A wind gust on the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport toppled a tractor trailer rig closing Highway 101 for 3 hours. No injuries were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5272665. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.