I spent the last two nights in Astoria. Right in middle of the intense storm that hit the north Oregon coast! A severe storm with hurricane force winds (some gusts reached 125 mph). Many local residents where displaced from their homes due to trees crashing through their houses, roofs lifting off, and windows busting out. Our hotel became a makeshift shelter for some local residents. We watched from the hotel as sheet metal ripped off a nearby roof and wrapped around a telephone pole at the entrance to our hotel. Mudslides, trees and powerpoles blocked all highways in and out of Astoria, until late this morning when HWY 30 opened one lane and allowed us to follow a pilot car through. Needless to say phone lines, cell service and internet service went down on Sun. and they are not expected to be restored for several more days (even 911 emergency service is unreachable). Our hotel became the base camp for rescue workers and electrical lineman who told us that it will be several days before the extent of the damage is assessed.
The hotel manager used his camping stove this morning and fixed us a lovely breakfast of reheated pizza pockets(a guest had some on hand) and hot water for instant oatmeal.
Harley and I are happy to be home safe.
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