Tornado damage reported after powerful storm rips through Manzanita, Oregon
MANZANITA, Ore. -- Tornado damage has been reported after a powerful storm moved into northwest Oregon.
Tillamook County Sheriff Andy Long says it touched down in the city of Manzanita about 8:20 a.m. He says there are no reports of injuries, but there have been several calls about damage, including one from a woman who says all the windows in her house were blown out.
Long says the county is sending an additional ambulance to Manzanita, just in case it's needed. He says volunteer firefighters are also being activated.
Photos and video from the scene show downed trees and utility poles, and damage to homes and other buildings.
The National Weather Service received reports of tornado damage around 8:25 a.m. Friday. Officials have not yet confirmed whether a tornado actually touched down.
A gallery owner in Manzanita, Oregon, says what started as a typical beach storm instantly became much more.
Debbie Harmon of the Amanita Gallery says out of nowhere the wind suddenly made a "whoooo" sound.
The whole sky filled with debris as a tornado touched down in the small coastal city. Harmon says "it was just crazy and then it just stopped."
Next thing, she saw trees scattered in the road and emergency vehicles headed toward the beach area.
Tornado warnings were in effect for Manzanita, Wheeler and Nehalem OR through 10:30 a.m. And for Naselle, Lebam and Frances, WA until 10:15 a.m.
The warning for Pacific County, WA expired around 7 a.m.
October storms
The heavy rain created dangerous conditions for the morning commute, as drivers tried to see out rain-pounded windshields and navigate through standing water on the roads.
Several school districts across the region delayed start times because of the weather.
Strong winds and heavy rain walloped the Pacific Northwest, leaving thousands without power as utility crews prepare for what's expected to be a rougher storm on Saturday.
In Oregon, Portland General Electric reported that more than 4,000 customers were without power at 5 a.m. Friday. Pacific Power reported that 2,800 customers in coastal communities had no lights, down from a peak of more than 15,000.
Portland had the rainiest Oct. 13 in its history. The National Weather Service says a 103-mph wind gust was recorded at Cape Meares.
Meteorologists expect a breezy Friday before the remnants of a typhoon hit the region Saturday. Forecasters say wind gusts as high as 70 mph could sweep through Seattle.