High Wind in Oregon, February 6, 1999

A strong wind storm moved through eastern Oregon causing damage in many locations. Sustained wind of 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 85 mph were reported 7 miles west of Mitchell at 820 AM. A roof was blown off a carport at 930 AM about 15 miles east of Pendleton with a wind gust of 78 mph. Interstate 84 was closed due to white out conditions and wind to 50 mph in Ladd Canyon, 10 miles east of La Grande. In Union, the library roof was damaged, a tree fell on a house trailer, and wind gusts over 50 mph were reported. Blowing dust and sand lowered visibility to near zero along Highway 97 near Culver at noon. Sustained wind of 40 mph with gusts to 71 mph were reported near Lostine at 1230 PM. Wind gusts to 81 mph were reported in Condon around 100 PM. Interstate 84 was closed from Pendleton to Hermiston from 1130 PM to 500 PM with blowing dust and sand causing visibilities near zero. At least ten people went to the hospital with injuries sustained from several traffic pile-ups on I-84. Four big trees blew down in the Pendleton cemetery. The Oregon State University experimental station, 8 miles north of Pendleton, reported that 20 trees were snapped off with a peak gust of 95 mph at around 100 PM. The Hermiston Municipal Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 47 mph at around 315 PM. Wind gusts to 50 mph were reported near Winlock at around 300 PM. In Wallowa county, there were reports of wind gusts to 60 mph, light roof damage, road closures due to blowing snow, and scattered tree damage. Power outages were also reported in Mission, Pilot Rock, Athena and in Pendleton.