Update: Oregon wind warnings give way to flooding and mountain snow alerts

Zach Urness and Miranda Cyr, Register-Guard
·4 min read
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Updated at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday

After an ice storm and powerful winds made the past week's weather an adventure across Western Oregon, things begin to return to a wet but normal pattern Wednesday and moving into the holiday weekend.

After causing power outages in the Eugene area Tuesday, winds will return to normal while the forecast stays saturated in the Willamette Valley with showers forecast just about every day and heavy rain expected Thursday and Friday.

The forecast could begin to dry out somewhat by the weekend — though showers will still be likely to some extent.

A Eugene Parks and Open Space Urban Forestry team member removes a leaning tree that threatens to fall across Crest Drive and nearby power lines in the Eugene South Hills after a windstorm moved through the area. Utilities across the Willamette Valley reported power outages.
A Eugene Parks and Open Space Urban Forestry team member removes a leaning tree that threatens to fall across Crest Drive and nearby power lines in the Eugene South Hills after a windstorm moved through the area. Utilities across the Willamette Valley reported power outages.

The extra rain will continue to bring river levels up and a few flood-prone streams such as the Marys, Siletz and Tualatin rivers could reach action or minor stages. However, no major or widespread flooding is forecast.Higher in the mountains, travel could become more challenging.

A winter storm warning remains in effect through Wednesday for snowfall totaling 8 to 15 inches on Oregon's highest Cascade Range summits including Santiam Pass (Highway 20) and Willamette Pass (Highway 58).

The snow mainly will fall above 4,000 feet, but also includes high winds gusting up to 65 mph through early Wednesday.

Snow continues through late in the week and into the weekend, but the weather could mellow out enough for skiers to head to the slopes.

Likewise, those in the valley will find ideal waterfall-hunting conditions over the weekend after the rain gives them some extra power and temperatures are warm enough to make travel safe to places such as Silver Falls State Park.

Strong winds blowing through the Willamette Valley Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 cause tree limbs to come down throughout the day.
Strong winds blowing through the Willamette Valley Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 cause tree limbs to come down throughout the day.

Power outages reported across the Eugene metro area

Updated at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Strong winds continued Tuesday morning as power outages were reported across the Eugene metro area.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of 45 to 55 mph anticipated.

National Weather Service forecasters said they expect the strongest winds will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Some gusts may get up to 60 mph in higher terrain.

Sisters Megan Corrales, 15, left, and Bailey Corrales, 16, laugh as they struggle with their umbrella in the wind and the rain during an outing in Eugene Tuesday as a storm moves through the Pacific Northwest.
Sisters Megan Corrales, 15, left, and Bailey Corrales, 16, laugh as they struggle with their umbrella in the wind and the rain during an outing in Eugene Tuesday as a storm moves through the Pacific Northwest.

Eugene Water & Electric Board reported about 1,040 customers were without power as of 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

EWEB stated that its crews are actively repairing those outages. A large outage is currently affecting about 900 upriver customers due to a tree limb striking one of the bigger pieces of equipment in the area. EWEB expects that to be fixed by early afternoon Tuesday.

Lane Electric Cooperative reported at least 1,376 customers in Eugene were without power as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, with the largest outage centered near Veneta, with more than 950 customers without power.

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the City of Eugene reported phone outages to the Public Works maintenance and Parks and Open Space line. A post on the city's Twitter account asked Eugene residents to enter requests for public service such as downed trees, visit http://eugene-or.gov/1776 or email pwadmin@ci.eugene.or.us. In case of hazardous downed trees, call 911 in case of emergency.

People are asked to use extreme caution around trees and watch for overhead limbs that could be dangling.

City crews respond to privately-owned trees only if they pose an immediate threat to the public safety in the right-of-way.

Unsecured objects and tree limbs could be blown around, and the NWS urged extra caution while driving, especially high-profile vehicles.

The high winds will affect the central and south Willamette Valley, as well as lower Columbia, the greater Portland metro area and Vancouver, Washington.

Heavy rain expectedAs Oregon thaws, heavy rain to bring flood risk, high winds, closed ski areas

Electricity providers anticipated outages with the strong winds.

The National Weather Service expects high winds blowing through the Willamette Valley between 2 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Unsafe driving conditions and power outages are possible.
The National Weather Service expects high winds blowing through the Willamette Valley between 2 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Unsafe driving conditions and power outages are possible.

Pacific Power said wind will work it's way north along the coast overnight with high winds likely in the Willamette Valley and the Portland area by Tuesday morning.

The utility urged residents to check on their emergency outage kits, keep mobile devices charged and revisit family storm preparation plans.

Residents should have the following handy in case of power outages:

  • Flashlights

  • Battery-operated radio and clocks

  • Extra batteries

  • Non-perishable foods

  • Manual can opener

  • Bottled water

  • Blankets

Reach reporter at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

Reach reporter Miranda Cyr at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Update: Wind warnings give way to flooding, mountain snow alerts