Portland, OR — Strong winds and stormy conditions battered the Portland metro area and the Pacific Northwest Wednesday night, leaving over 20,000 households without power by early Thursday morning. The severe weather, which was accompanied by downed power lines, fallen trees, and other damage, prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Warning.
The warning, which went into effect at 6 p.m. on Christmas Day and remained in place until 8 a.m. Thursday, predicted south winds of 20 to 30 mph along the coast, with gusts reaching between 55 and 65 mph. In the Willamette Valley, sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph were expected, with gusts possibly exceeding 40 mph.
By Thursday morning, KATU photojournalists reported widespread power outages and damage throughout the region. Crews discovered a downed power line near SE 38th and Madison, while a large portion of the area around SE 151st and Powell remained without power and without functioning traffic lights. Further east, a fallen tree on NE Fremont and 162nd blocked a local street, snagging a power line in the process.
As utility crews worked to assess and repair the damage, residents across the metro were urged to stay cautious and avoid areas with fallen trees or power lines. The storm also left many without power into Thursday afternoon, as crews continued to battle the widespread damage caused by the high winds.
The storm’s impact highlights the volatile weather conditions that often accompany winter storms in the Pacific Northwest, where strong winds and heavy rain can cause significant disruption in a short period.
