PNW Storm

[sgtiger]

Mimi, is he okay?

I'm glad that so many of you have made it through alright. My heart goes out to those that have lost so much to this storm. It cannot be easy to lose everything they worked so hard for. Some even lost loved ones. <bows head in moment of silence> It's a reminder of just how much I have to be thankful for.

On a happier note, it's really great to see our community rally together and help those in need. I heard that one of the donation sights is turning away stuff becuase they have no where to hold it anymore.

[Bike Goddess]

I have some dear friends that live on the Long Beach coast of Washington-they also own a restaurant in Seaview. Here's their story which I just got today. My, what a storm!

> Hi There from the soggy and windblown NW Coast! We
> are all fine, have no damage to the house, and just a
> few shingles gone from the restaurant roof. We were
> without power for 2 days, and Blaine and I commented
> on how he really had to stop relying on emergency
> closures to take days off together! It is pretty
> amazing to have to get everything done during the
> daylight, going to bed and getting up with the sun.
> We had plenty of candles, a propane stove -- all of
> our refrigeration stayed closed and we lost only
> minimal amount of food. Astoria was hit much harder
> than we were, which probably has to do with the center
> of the storm. They had SUSTAINED winds of 90-110
> mph, with gusts of up to 137 mph, which laid one of
> the hills above the town bare! Several shops had
> their windows blown out and the bicycle shop had to
> gather up a few of their bikes from across the street.
> Luckily, there was very little looting. We got
> robbed, our entire safe taken. Again, Blaine had made
> deposits for Fri and Sat, so we only had about $400.00
> in there. They pulled it from the wall, bolts and
> all. We are going to get a heavier safe that cannot
> be lifted by one person, and bolt it to the floor.
> Anyway, we are back up, with internet, phone and TV
> all back on line as well as the power. Astoria did
> not get power until yesterday afternoon -- that was
> from Sunday night until Thursday 4 pm. Some are
> saying this was worse than the Ciolumbus Day storm of
> 1964 or so. So, all in all, I guess we were pretty lucky.

Glad to here all of you are safe and sound!

[jobob]

[drift]

Hey Nancy, which restaurant in Seaview? Lee & I used to spend a lot of time on the Long Beach peninsula back in our kiteflying days.

[/drift]

[elk]

Did you guys see the photo originally published in the Oregonian of the flood on I-5? Gorgeous photo....unbelievable mess.

There has been no way to get from Portland to Seattle without a huge detour...Still closed to all but commercial vehicles.

I drove up I-5 to Battleground this morning for our trial and there was hardly anyone on the road past Vancouver...