News
Lincoln City tornado packed 85 mph winds
Posted:  11/07/2009 4:20 PM
By AP & KGW Staff |

LINCOLN CITY, Ore. -- The tornado that touched down in Lincoln City Friday night had 85 mph winds and cut a 150-foot path of destruction, officials said.

The tornado blew out windows, split trees and tore one house completely apart. It all started with some nasty weather Friday, including thunder, lightning, high surf and hail. Neighbors said they then spotted a spinning mass out on the ocean.

"It literally came onto the shore and started spinning around," said Courtney Durham, who lives in Lincoln City. "It looked like a dust storm but with water and sand and gravel."

The tornado's destruction path was 150 yards long by 80 yards wide, a report from the National Weather Service said. Pacific Power representatives said almost 350 homes were without electricity but power was restored later in the weekend.