High winds rake High Desert, topple trees, power lines
Winds gusting to nearly 70 mph raked the High Desert as a strong storm moved through Tuesday, downing numerous trees and power lines. One large tree fell across Highway 20 west of Sisters after dark and a semi truck ran into it and was disabled.
Word came around 5:20 p.m. that a tree about three feet in diameter had fallen across the highway near milepost 94,.a mile east of Black Butte Ranch and six miles west of Sisters.
A semi reportedly struck the tree and was disabled. Initial word was that it could take 30 to 60 minutes to clear; one lane was open again by about 7:30 p.m. and the road was cleared by 9 p.m. Track the latest road closures at TripCheck. http://www.ktvz.com/trip-check
Around 7:20 p.m., another tree reportedly was blocking the highway’s eastbound lane in the Cloverdale area, near Peterson Ridge Road.
A weather spotter in Sisters reported a wind gust of 66 mph around 6:10 p.m.; around 5:50 p.m., a 67 mph gust was recorded five miles west-northwest of Terrebonne.
Other peak wind reports ranged from 69 mph at Sisters and 55 mph at Round Mountain to 50 mph at the Bend watershed and 43 mph at Lava Butte.
Trees were down in numerous areas, from Sisters to Sunriver and South Century Drive.
Joe Powell, a resident in the Oregon Water Wonderland No. 2 area south of Sunriver, told NewsChannel 21 of numerous large downed trees blocking the main roads into the area. He said power was still on, though “not for sure how.”
As of Wednesday morning, Midstate Electric Co’.s online map reported 330 members without service as crews worked to make repairs.
