High Wind in Washington, February 5 to 6, 1999

One of the stronger Pacific storms of the winter season resulted in damaging winds when it moved over the coastal area and interiors of Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. One of the more dramatic events associated with this storm was the destruction of a Keizer, Oregon mobile home when a 200 foot douglas fir tree was toppled by winds and crushed the structure. Many thousands of residents were without power at various times as falling limbs and trees cut power lines. At higher elevations in the Cascade Mountains, very strong wind gusts were reported. Mt. Bachelor ski area reported a wind gust of 120 MPH. Mt Hood Meadows ski area reported a 103 mph wind gust. No injuries were reported. A newspaper reported very strong winds downing trees in the South Washington Cascades. Winds at the higher evelvations were inferred to be in excess of 100 mph at times. The Portland NWS Doppler Radar measured wind speeds at 110 mph at 7000 feet during the height of the storm.