Coastal residents in Oregon, Washington brace for high winds

Published 9:02 pm Wednesday, March 9, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. — Residents along the central and northern coast of Oregon and southern coast of Washington experienced high winds that weather forecasters say have topped 70 mph in places.

The Federal Aviation Administration delayed flights for a time into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Wednesday evening due to the wind.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Wednesday night from Florence, Oregon to Ocean Park in Washington. Forecasters expected the peak wind period to be through 11 p.m.

Winds of 45 to 55 mph were expected, with gusts to 70 mph and up to 85 mph possible in especially exposed areas.

The weather service also issued a coastal flood warning and high surf warnings for much of the Washington coast and inland waters.