Windstorm knocks down trees, damages Forest Grove homes, businesses
A windstorm tore through Forest Grove starting Monday afternoon, taking out trees, ripping canopies down, and hurling trash cans through the streets of Forest Grove.
At the corner of 21st Ave and B Street, a tree came down, taking out utility lines and striking an apartment.
Trees were down in other locations throughout the city, and traffic lights were out, including at B Street and Pacific.
Portions of downtown Forest Grove lost power, including the lights at the B Street and Pacific intersection. The legs of a canopy were snapped and bent at the Forest Grove Sandwich Shop, and utility companies were kept busy around town. Photos: Chas Hundley
"If you encounter a traffic light that’s not working, treat the intersection as if it has a stop sign," Forest Grove Fire & Rescue said, noting that trees were down in Gales Creek and near the intersection of Stringtown Road and Ritchey Road close to the Dilley community.
"We are aware of multiple power outages around town. Our crews are actively working to repair downed power lines, broken poles, and damaged cross arms. These are hazardous situations—please stay away from any downed lines," Forest Grove Light & Power said, urging those looking for specific updates to view comments on a Facebook post.
"If you see a dangerous situation that we are not actively addressing, please call us at 503-992-3250," the city's municipal electricity utility said.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your support as we work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible."
Dane Berg was surveying the damage to his apartment Monday afternoon. A huge tree lay where it had fallen between the street and the building.
Berg said he was in his apartment when he saw a large tree by his apartment shaking in the wind. Deciding to move his car, which was parked under it, he had a close call
"Lo and behold, I get out to my car, move it about three inches and all of a sudden, a tree is falling over onto the power lines," Berg said.
Berg was uninjured, and his car was not struck.
The bulk of the tree trunk appeared to have missed most of the apartment, though data cables and gutters were ripped off the structure, and there could be other damage, he said.
An apartment structure and fence were damaged near the corner of 21st Ave and B Street. Photos: Chas Hundley
"My porch has most of a tree in it, so that's interesting," Berg added.
A fence was knocked over as well.
Other than being a little cold for awhile, owing to being temporarily locked out while the front door was blocked, Berg was fine.
Forest Grove Light & Power arrived shortly after this reporter left the scene to begin working in the area, though it was not the only spot nearby with a downed tree.
Two blocks away, another tree had fallen on 23rd Avenue between B Street and A Street.
"I heard a loud crash, bang, and then the power went out," Rachel Marble said on the way out of her home near the corner of B Street and 23rd Avenue. She and the rest of her family were headed out; without power, it was time to find a restaurant that had power to dine at. Marble had dropped some handwarmers off for the chicks she's raising in the basement to keep them warm in the absence of the usual heat lamp.
A sidewalk near Pacific University on Cedar Street littered with debris. Photo: Chas Hundley
Forest Grove is under a Wind Advisory until 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Photos of Forest Grove without power courtesy Maria Aleman, used with permission
"We have such a good Light & Power department," said Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzl after hearing an update on the impacts of the windstorm during Monday night's city council meeting.
