Brookings, Ore. — The first big storm of the season has already begun to bring high force wind and heavy rain to Southwestern Oregon.
The coast has been the hardest-hit area, and they’re expecting even stronger conditions Saturday morning. Multiple people were at the marina on Friday, pulling their boat out of the water.
“We had it all latched in,” David Thomas said. “The bumper, everything that we got for the boat’s all new, haven’t even taken it out yet, and then I get the call at 8:30, hey, your boat’s floating loose in the harbor.”
Thomas said a couple people nearby were able to tie it back up to the dock, but with the incoming storm, he isn’t taking any chances. He rushed to the Brookings Harbor marina to pull ‘Miss Megan’ out of the water.
“They had some big surges that came through, and it snapped all of my lines.”
Those surges have been forcing their way even further up the boat ramp. Thomas isn’t the only one here preparing. Howard Jones, owner of the Sportshaven Marina Bar and Grill, spent the afternoon securing everything on the patio. He’s expecting to stay open through the storm.
“If it gets to gnarly, obviously we’ll close down, but we’ve been through this about five years, and every year there’s another adventure to get ready for,” Jones said.
A high surf warning is already in effect on the coast of Southwestern Oregon. Beginning 5 AM Saturday morning, a high wind warning will be added to that. According to the National Weather Service, gusts could reach up to 70 miles per hour.
For the time being, residents are taking the opportunity to be outdoors, before the conditions get even worse. John Gebhard took his dog Draxel out on a walk in between rain showers.
“We’re actually trying to get him some exercise, because I know we’re going to be cooped up for the next couple of days,” Gebhard said. “He got a bath a few days ago, so I don’t mind if he jumps up on the couch and hangs out a little bit.”
In the past 24 hours, Brookings has seen over three and a half inches of rain. It’s a trend that’s expected to continue through early next week.
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