Strong Winds Battering Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley

A High Wind Warning is in effect from 10:00 AM this morning to 10:00 PM Monday for the Oregon Coast.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A Wind Advisory is in effect from 10:00 AM this morning to 10:00 PM Monday for the mid-Willamette Valley.

South winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 50 mph are expected this afternoon and again on Monday as two strong weather systems move over the state. A brief decrease in the winds is expected tonight.

Winds of these speeds have caused some tree damage and power outages in the past -- especially in urban areas. Motorists in high profile vehicles should use extra caution until the winds subside.

Forecasters say the storms will dump between one to three inches of rain in the mid-valley.

At 4:25 PM, the city of Salem said signals are out on both South Commercial and Liberty between Mission & Vista Due to power outage. Also, due to a down power line Liberty Road South between Ewald and Madrona is shut down. Salem fire continues to repond to numerous power lines down throughout the City, if you must travel becareful of down power lines and falling trees.

A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds are forecast to be 31 to 39 mph or gusts will range between 45 and 57 mph.

A High Wind Warning is in effect from 10:00 AM this morning to 10:00 PM monday for the Oregon Coast.

Those living or visiting the coast should expect south winds this morning at 25 to 35 mph. Later, those winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph or higher at higher elevations. On Monday, winds are forecast to be at 70 mph or higher, then taper off later in the afternoon.

A High Winds Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more.

What To Do If The Power Goes Out, or You See Downed Power Lines:

If you see a downed utility line, any line, don't touch it, don't even go near it. Call PGE at 503-464-7777 in the Portland calling area; 503-399-7717 Salem calling area; or 1-800-544-1795 outside the Portland-Salem calling area for outages or downed lines.

Other Power Outage Numbers:

• Salem Electric: 503-362-3601
• Pacific Power: 1-877-LITESOUT: (1-877-548-3768)
• McMinnville Water & Light: (503) 472-6158
• City of Monmouth: (503) 838-3526
• Canby Utility Board: (503) 266-4021
• Consumers Power: (541) 929-3124
• Central Lincoln PUD: (541) 265-3211

As of 2:45 PM Sunday, 300 Cowlitz County PUD customers in the West Side Highway area south of Castle Rock are out of power. All together 1,900 PUD customers have lost power since about noon Sunday.

Power has been restored to those living in East and North Kelso, residents in the Silver Lake area east of Castle Rock, and Pleasant Hill Road north of Kelso. Cowlitz PUD crews will work until all power is restored.

Also, every home should have an emergency kit that includes the following:

• Flashlight • Battery-operated radio and clock • Extra batteries • Non-perishable foods • Manual can opener • Bottled water • Blankets

UPDATED: Oregon Wind Speeds at 10:30 AM:

• Newport: Winds at 48 mph; gusts to 72 mph
• Salem: Winds at 29 mph; gusts of 42 mph.
• Florence: Winds at 20 mph; peak gust 52 mph at 5:35 AM.
• Portland Int. Airport: Winds at 8 mph; peak gust 32 mph at 1:53 AM.
• Corvallis: Winds at 23 mph; gusts to 29 mph
• Cape Argo: Winds at 32 mph; gusts to 45 mph
• Astoria: Winds at 20 mph; gusts to 41 mph

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