The Pacific Northwest is already reeling from two strong storms, including a storm that came on shore Thursday bringing winds of almost 100 mph and knocking out power to over 25,000 homes in Oregon.
On Friday, Oregon was hit with two tornadoes, including an EF2 tornado that struck the town of Manzanita at 8:20 a.m. local time with winds of 125-135 mph. “We had never issued more than 3 tornado warnings in one day,” the Portland National Weather Service said in a tweet. “We issued 10 today.”
Saturday’s powerful storm has the potential to be life-threatening. National Weather Service meteorologist Ted Buehner told TODAY, “This has the possibility of being a fatal storm if people do not take the proper precautions and stay indoors.”
The Weather Channel is forecasting wind gusts of over 60 mph possible near the Washington and northwest Oregon coasts by Saturday afternoon with high winds possible as far in as the Interstate 5 corridor from Seattle to Portland. Residents are warned to stay inside and avoid travel on streets that will be flooded by the heavy rains.
As much as one inch of rainfall is being forecast for Portland, Oregon, with winds gusting to 90 mph near the coast and winds of 45 to 60 mph possible in the valley area. Widespread power outages and rough seas with high waves and coastal flooding are also possible.
These conditions are expected to last until Tuesday, and people are being asked to take all necessary precautions as this storm comes ashore. The National Weather Service in Portland, Oregon, is even calling this the “Ides of October storm,” a reference to the “Ides of March” in Roman history.
Regardless of what the storm is called, this is a very dangerous storm, and landslides, downed trees, power outages and heavy rains and flooding are all possible. So please heed local weather notifications and stay safe.
