Homepage / Portland Weather
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Lincoln City Tornado Wrecks Coastal Homes

POSTED: 5:19 pm PST November 7, 2009
UPDATED: 11:23 am PST November 8, 2009

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado is responsible for a scene of wreckage in north Lincoln City on Friday night.

The EF-0 tornado started on the water of the Pacific Ocean and came on land as winds reached 85 mph. The area of Road's End was the hardest-hit.

Jim Jenneke said he was watching the Portland Trail Blazers game with his wife when he heard a large bang. Winds ripped the deck off his house, blew down trees and caused damage to a power transformer.

Pacific Power representatives said almost 350 homes were without electricity. The power has since been restored.

The storm blew the roof off another house near Jenneke's home and left it twisted and destroyed. Pink insulation remained in trees and on the ground for about 150 yards inland on Saturday.

"All I heard was, 'Woooooo!' A big roar, you know," said Jim Bobber, who lives nearby.

Neighbors who live on the stretch of coastline said they eventually realized it was a tornado.

"Your brain is trying to process what's going on and it kept getting bigger and bigger and there was a spin on it," said Brenda Ruble, who lives in the area. "All of a sudden we looked at each other and go, 'That's a tornado!' And my husband says, 'Hit the ground!'"

No injuries were reported from the tornado.

A report from the National Weather Service said a total of 11 homes, three cars and three decks were damaged. The destruction path was 150 yards long by 80 yards wide. Lincoln City homeowners said it could have been much worse.

"We're very lucky that it hit where it did and when it did," Ruble said.

Large waves continued to crash against the beach Saturday evening as a high surf warning remained in effect.

More: FOX 12 Weather Blog

Related: Jan. 10, 2008: Tornado Strikes Vancouver

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Get to know the basic legal documents needed to manage property and end-of-life wishes. More

Read reviews from actual customers and find a handyman that is right for you and your next project. More

Feel like you'll never pay off your credit debt? iCredit Saver can help you find debt solutions today. More

Sponsored Links

FOX 12 Instant Weather

Up-to-the-second, real-time reports on the latest headlines and weather conditions to your desktop. More


E-Mail Newsletters

E - News Registration
 4 p.m.
9 a.m.
7 a.m.
8 p.m.
12 p.m.
FOX 12 Most Wanted
Breaking News Alerts