'We're prepared:' Oregon Coast hit with 60 mph winds, heavy rain from bomb cyclone
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. (KOIN) — First responders on the Oregon Coast are urging people to remain cautious as pounding rain and high winds hit communities like Lincoln City and Tillamook amid a bomb cyclone forecast.
In Lincoln City, the rain was picking up significantly, prompting the Lincoln County School District to cancel after-school activities ahead of potential flooding.
Earlier Friday, Tillamook saw less rain but ripping winds. The fire chief urged people to stay home if they can.
"Looks like it is going to be a very active weather week," said Tillamook Fire Chief Paul Edwards.
The bomb cyclone and atmospheric river forecast for Southern Oregon prompted a KOIN 6 Weather Alert across the region from Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The coast is getting inundated with high surf, pounding rain and powerful hurricane-force winds, up to 60 miles per hour.
"We've got high surf advisories, a winter weather watch for Highway 6 through the summit," Edwards said. "We've had some issues with phone lines. But we're prepared for what Mother Nature throws our way this week."
Edwards said people should be prepared for potential power outages and dicey conditions on the road.
"Just be safe out there. If it's a huge storm — like it could be — try to limit your driving, you could have downed trees blocking the roadways, and again power lines; multiple things that could be dangerous out there for you. So if you can stay home, please stay home," Edwards said.
The locals are no strangers to weather like this, with one neighbor calling it "exciting, invigorating" and "part of nature."
"We love storms at the beach, it's beautiful," said Sue Minten, who explained she and her husband have braved sea storms before.
"One year, it went all the way up into the bottom floor of a motel room we were staying at. We were on the third floor, and it was just hitting us with the waves," she said.
Minten said despite the beauty, both she and first responders are in agreement that there's much danger in high waters, for those on land and at sea.
"Stay off the beach," was Minten's warning to storm watchers.
"The saying is, 'Turn around, please don't drown.' So if you see high water don't try to drive through it, please. Stay safe," Edwards said.
Tillamook Fire recommends getting survival packs ready with enough food, water, batteries and other essentials to last two days in case of a power outage. Chief Edwards also advised people to call 911 if they see any downed power lines.