Looks like Stormy Weather…
A gust of wind reached 97 miles an hour early this morning at a recording station on Mount Hebo in Tillamook County. That was just one example of the strong winds that began pounding the Oregon Coast last night and are expected to continue until tomorrow. The strongest storm in four years arrived last night, bringing with it high winds and heavy rain. National Weather Service Forecaster Andy Bryant said peak wind gusts were expected to be around 80 miles an hour along exposed beaches, with 70-mile an hour gusts hitting in coastal towns.
The high wind recorded along the Siuslaw River this morning just after 7:30 was 52 miles an hour while a gust of more than 80 was logged at Sea Lion Caves.
If you’re thinking of going out to do a little storm watching, U.S. Coast Guard officials say to use caution. Sudden, powerful waves can engulf the entire beach very quickly and sweep across jetties, taking everything in its path with it. Today’s storm is expected to continue overnight and begin subsiding tomorrow morning.
Willoughby makes it final
Florence City Manager Bob Willoughby says his last day on the job will be December 31st. Willoughby had already announced his intention to step down by next year, but he says he’s accepted a new position as manager for the city of Silverton. He was reportedly one of 71 applicants for the job and one of four finalists. The Florence City Council had already endorsed Willoughby’s suggestion of assistant city Manager Jacque Betz as his successor. Willoughby has been in Florence for four years. He says he and his wife Janice are excited to be moving closer to family and friends in the Portland Metro area.
Kitchen Safety on Family Holidays
Thanksgiving is a day for gathering together with family and friends around the table. While the vast majority of the time things go well, Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says sometimes things can go wrong.
Sean Barrett – “Thanksgiving day is a big family day and it’s also a big cooking day so a lot of times cooking gets unattended while the family members and groups get together and they forget that they have stuff cooking.”
Statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association show that Thanksgiving Day is the day when more household kitchen fires occur than any other time of the year.
Rail Line Vandals
A four-car train on the Coos Bay Rail Link derailed one day last week near Noti. When officials investigated, they determined that scrap metal thieves had pried up tie-plates and spikes in the area. Oregon International Port of Coos Bay officials say the vandals did about $20-thousand damage to the track… however the value of the metal they stole is likely less than $500. Nobody was injured in the derailment, but the FBI and Lane County Sheriff’s office are investigating.
Flo Tones Hope to Feed Hungry
“Home For Christmas” is the theme for this Sunday’s annual Flo-Tones Christmas Concert at the Florence Events Center. The community’s premier jazz vocal group will once again provide the free concert on Sunday, beginning at 4 PM. All they ask is that concert goers bring a donation of cash or non-perishable food for Florence Food Share.
Smith named Athlete of the Week
Siuslaw Football standout Ryan Smith is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The junior wide receiver caught three passes for 94 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown reception, in the Vikings’ quarterfinal win over the Baker Bulldogs. Smith also intercepted a pass and returned two kickoffs for a total of 24 yards.
Honorable mention is given to Alex Snow who made several key tackles as well as carrying the ball four times, including one for a touchdown.