Expect Delays on US 20 Next Week

Travel on U.S. 20 west of Toledo will be restricted next week as Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews cleanup after a series of wind and snow storms in January and March. From Monday, April 30 through Friday, May 4, one lane will be restricted between Newport and Toledo (Milepost .5 to 5), from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flaggers and a pilot car will control traffic in alternating directions. Motorists should expect delays of 10-15 minutes. Several powerful storms left many trees down, damaged, or leaning in the area. ODOT crews will remove the downed trees and other debris. A corridor plan is currently under study with a hazard tree removal project along US 20 targeted for fall. A similar cleanup project is planned for OR 34 out of Waldport. ODOT said it will alert the public when that project is scheduled.

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Wind Warning Through Tuesday Morning

The National Weather Service has issued a HIgh Wind Warning from 2:00 p.m. today through 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, but the storm is not expected to be as strong as first anticipated. South winds of 30-40 miles per hour will kick up this afternoon with gusts of 60 miles per hour on beaches and headlands. Winds in most areas will remain below 55 miles per hour. Forecasters say the strongest winds will be felt late Monday afternoon into late Monday night.

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North Bay Road Open Again

A concrete barrier (bottom) will help control continued debris flows expected by Public Works (photo: Bridget Wolfe)

Debris clearance is finished on Yaquina Bay Road (North Bay Road) just outside of Toledo.  The road is still covered in mud and will probably remain slippery until rain washes the mud away. County crews and private contractors worked daylight hours since the slide occurred Friday. Lincoln County Public Works Director Jim Buisman said he expects the hillside will continue to flow, if not as dramatically as last week. A concrete barrier has been installed to catch additional debris.

Watch videos of the clean-up work here.

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Storm Season Not Over

Another High Wind Watch has been issued by the National Weather service, beginning noon Monday and continuing through 2:00 a.m. Tuesday. Sustained south winds of 40-45 miles per hour are anticipated with gusts up to 70 miles per hour. The strongest winds are expected Monday afternoon and evening, letting up about midnight.

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Flood Warning on the Siletz River

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Siletz River until this evening, or until the warning is cancelled. The river was measured at 15.2 feet at 9:00 a.m. today. Flood stage is 16.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast in low-lying areas. The river is expected to rise above flood stage midday today and crest at 16.5 fee this afternoon.

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