[IRCA] I'm baack

[mwdxer@xxxxxxxxx (Patrick Martin)]

Hi everyone,

After going through the worst Pacific storms in my like, I am happy to
report I am alive and well. But for a while, I was really wondering.
   It all started in last week with the forecast from the National
Weather Service that a HUGE storm was going to hit the Oregon &
Washington coasts. Early on they were forecasting winds of 80-90 MPH.
But as it got closer, the forecast was changed to over 100 MPH. 
   Saturday during the day our winds started to pick up to gusts to
about 50 MPH. By Sunday the gusts picked up 80 MPH. Not uncommon for the
coast. As they say on the Portland TV station weather reports "A garden
variety Pacific storm". That was a good sized storm alone, but only the
beginning. The granddaddy them them all was forcast to hit Sunday night.
I was not at home when it hit, but in East Astoria. By 9-10 PM, we lost
all power, internet, cel phone, and even local phone, including 9-1-1,
the emergency number. We had nothing. He were totally cut off. The huge
transmission Bonneville lines coming East we had lost. The wind was up
to about 130 MPH out here and 80+ MPH where I was in East Astoria. The
wind was really shaking the building. I spent the night there thinking I
would return Monday morning. Boy was I wrong! The wind howled all night.
I was really worried about my house, but it was impossible to drive
home. I did not sleep all night. Too much racket. Monday morning "I
thouight" the wind died down. Well I took off and drove through downtown
Astoria. I was driving through a diaster war zone. Broken windows,
debris flying all over the place. The winds downtown Astoria were 70+
MPH even Monday morning. Infact the van almost got him by a 50 square
foot piece of roof from a building. It flew right past the front of the
van. I drive on trying to dodge all of the debris. As I approached
Youngs Bay to cross the bridge to Warrenton, I was driving right into a
squal. I have never seen one, but according to the weather service, that
is what I was driving into across the bridge. There the winds were 100+
MPH. The wind  knocked the van all over the road. I made a fast U-turn
and headed back East. I spend Monday night in East Astoria again. I was
still worried about my house, but I was still in the dark, no phone
service. I did finally picked up a tint tiny amount to cel signal from
Washington that I could barely use, but I got a short message to Bill
Block.  Again I got little sleep. The wind semed a bit less Monday
night, but still strong. Tuesday morning I took off again and this time
the gusts were 60-70 MPH off across Youngs Bay and I could drive in
that. But still debris everywhere. Driving through Astoria looked worse
than the day before.
Trees distroyed everywhere, roofs, pieces of building, etc. I thought,
my house is toast. But as I got close to it I could see it from the
highway and my metal roof I put on it in 1999 was still on the house. I
was surprised. The porch area on the back (wind side), the covering was
ripped off. The trees behind my house were distroyed for the most part.
Including 3 of my antennas. The only antenna still standng was the WNW
EWE. I went in the house, no leaks, dry but a bit musty feeling from the
rain and wind and the power being off. Some dents and scrathes outside
in the wood from flying debris it looks like. The gutter bent up, but
the house was ok. I took the camera and took pictures for the insurance.
After that I checked both sides of the house, checking my big dish. It
was still fine, but loose on the pole. Some bolts loosened up. I saw
where the SW EWE came down and I repaired that. The beverage snapped and
the vertical snapped off the top of the tree. Those two I have not
repaired as yet as we got to clean up the mess first.   Over all I
lucked out well. Three homes nearby suffered trees falling onto the
house and I don't know how many roofs blew off. But mine held fine. As I
said, downed trees everywhere. A mess to say the least. 

In driving around Clatsop County, it is hard to believe the damage. It
is by far the worst storm in 80 years. The Columbus Day storm was a walk
in the part on the coast compared to this. The Columbus Day storm
created winds almost as bad, but they were short-liven as 3-4 hours.
These winds last for 3 days! 

On a side note, all the time I was listening to KAST-1370-Astoria, as
they were knocked off the air Sunday night with no power. Tom Freel OM,
got the station back on the air with the generator fighting the 130 MPH
winds and getting gasoline on him. The station went local, as they have
been for the last several days. Once the phones started working, you
could only dial in your prefix. In Astoria the prefix is 325, so you
could only dial a 325 number and get through. You could could not call
an 861 (Warrenton) number and get through. Again, no 9-1-1 either. But
KAST stayed with us as a good friend announcing any changes, the
storm,etc. KAST interviewed the Mayor, City Manager, Coast Guard, you
name it. Everybody has joined forces to help out. Really very well
organized. We have the CG and they are also helping out. This is true
local radio and that is where a station shines. KAST has been there for
us. Infact the GM celebated his 31st Wedding Anniversary on the air,
took calls from listeners in Astoria and it was a great time. It put a
smile on my face when Ithought I had little to smile about. A great
group of broadcasters. They should win an award for their service to our
community. 
   For some reason, we got power first. Why, I don't know, but I sure
was surprised being without it for only 72 hours. But with the
interstructure of the Pacic Power system being totally wiped out, I
thought it may be at least a week. The huge power towers  were wiped out
like toothpicks  But I have been very impressed with everyone involved.
No support from FEMA or anyone other than our locals including the CG.
Even Power Power contacte other power companies and got extra help.
They are all great perfessionals and should to praised.
   I have considered moving from Clatsop County, but where would I find
a a group (as I call them) extended family like this? Places like this
do not grow on trees.  Even if we don't have many left. hi.

73,

Patrick

Patrick Martin
KAVT Reception Manager

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