Weather Watch: Expect High Winds Later Today Throughout Western Oregon

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(SALEM) - The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Marion, Polk, Linn, Yamhill and Clackamas county through midnight tonight. A deepening low pressure area will move toward the north Oregon Coast this afternoon then move across Washington tonight. South winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are possible tonight. These potential strong winds over the inland valleys and foothills of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon will depend on the exact track and strength of the low as it moves inland tonight. A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. A high wind warning is in effect in Polk, Yahmill, Tillamook, and Lincoln counties from 4:00 PM this afternoon to 4:00 AM Monday. South winds of 30 To 40 mph with gusts to 65 mph will develop later this afternoon and this evening especially near the headlands. Winds will increase around 10:00 PM this evening with wind gusts of 70 To 80 mph possible near headlands and beaches. Winds will decrease late tonight. A high wind 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 can lead to property damage. What to do at your home if your power goes out: 1. Check your fuse or breaker box for blown fuses or tripped circuits. If they’re OK, check to see if your neighbors are without power. 2. Call your power company immediately to report the outage. Please call only once so other customers can get through. 3. Turn off all electrical equipment, including your water heater, electric furnace or heaters, stove, washer and dryer, stereo and TV, to help prevent overloading the system when power is restored. (Major appliances can be turned off at the breaker box.) Do however, turn on a porch light and one inside light so you and PGE’s crews will know when service is restored. 4. Listen to a battery-powered radio for outage updates. 5. If your neighbor’s power comes back on but yours does not, call PGE again. 6. If your lights are very dim or bright once power is restored, turn off the power at the breaker or fuse box and call your power company. 7. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food in a refrigerator will last for 12 to 24 hours if kept cool. A full freezer can last for 24 to 48 hours. Power Outage Phone Numbers: PGE: (800) 544-1795 Salem Electric: (503) 362-3601 Pacific Power: (877) 548-3768 Consumers Power: (800) 827-9036 Monmouth: (503) 838-3526 McMinnville: (503) 472-6158 Canby: (503) 266-4021 Avista: (800) 227-9187