WALLA WALLA — High winds toppled trees and cut power to thousands of residents in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon early Friday.
Winds gusting more than 60 mph were reported in the Walla Walla area, reaching 78 mph at the Walla Walla Regional Airport at midmorning, said Robert Cramp, spokesman for the National Weather Service.
Flights were temporarily canceled at the airport, and two parks were closed as a safety precaution. Several streets were closed due to fallen trees and power lines and debris.
Immediately after the storm, 19,000 homes and businesses were without power. Crews worked to restore service to some customers and that number was down to 14,350 in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon late Friday, said Pacific Power spokesman Tom Gauntt. Most were in the Walla Walla area.
A tree fell on three buildings at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Walla Walla, forcing officials to evacuate the buildings and establish an emergency operations center.
No patients or employees were injured during the storm, but all clinics were shut down and appointments for the day were canceled as a safety precaution.
VA officials said they would begin a damage assessment as soon as weather conditions permit.
Ronald Fry watched as the heavy winds toppled a blue spruce in his yard, then lifted the tree over and over, before it came to rest atop a neighbor’s tree that had landed on the neighbor’s roof.
The landing was a blessing, he said.
“We were sitting there watching the tree, going up and down, up and down,” Fry said. “We were holding our breath.”
Strong winds were also forecast for today.
In Oregon, high winds and snow Thursday and Friday interrupted transportation on the state’s two main interstate highways.
The Oregon Department of Transportation suggested that travelers reconsider plans for travel on I-5, I-84 and U.S. 97.
I-5 was closed temporarily Thursday, and on Friday, the transportation department closed stretches of I-84 from Hermiston to Baker City.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
