![A downed tree blocks Northeast 10th Street in Battle Ground this afternoon. (Courtesy of the Southwest Washington Emergency Services Facebook group)]()
A windstorm that could include gusts in the 50 mph range is forecast to linger in the metro area for much of today, according to the National Weather Service in Portland. A pregnant woman died when a tree fell onto an SUV near Oxbow Park east of Portland, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
The weather service has issued a wind advisory for south winds of 30 mph until this evening, with greater gusts. There is potential for damage to trees, disruption of power, and other problems. Drivers of trucks or other tall vehicles, or those pulling trailers, should exercise caution.
Clark Public Utilities reported outages around the county through the day. By around 4 p.m., fallen trees and damaged power lines left 1,900 customers around Battle Ground, Hockinson, Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Amboy and Yacolt without power.
Winds at Pearson Field were starting to increase by mid-morning, with a gust of 26 mph recorded in the 9 o’clock hour and 30 mph in the noon hour.
As of 4 p.m., the National Weather Service reported peak wind gusts of 36 mph at Pearson Field in Vancouver, 33 mph in Hazel Dell, 34 mph near Salmon Creek and 36 mph in Orchards.In Battle Ground, gusts were as high as 46 mph.
Winds hit 43 mph at Portland International Airport, 45 and 53 mph in southwest Portland.
Maggie Stone, 67, was sitting at home in her house northwest of Daybreak Park this morning when she said a strong gust of wind blew open her door just before 10 a.m.
“I was stunned for a while,” she said. “It happened within seconds … It startled me and I got up. The wind was just howling around the house.”
She went outside and found that a 100 foot big leaf maple that stands about 25 feet from her home and fallen over. Luckily, she said, it fell away from her house.
“I’m on a hill. Thank goodness it fell down the hill,” she said.
Fallen trees blocked state Highway 503 near Fargher Lake. In Battle Ground, city workers closed a section of Northeast 10th Street between Grace and 17th avenues due to a downed tree and power lines.
The National Weather Service reported weather watchers spotted half-inch diameter hail in eastern Clark County.
In addition to wind, it will rain today, making March roar in like a lion, as the old saying goes.
