NEWS UPDATE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GOMBERG: A Hard Weekend Through Most of the District

EDITOR’S NOTE: State Representative David Gomberg’s district used to include South Tillamook County, and we appreciated his excellent updates from the State Legislature about issues that impact the Coast. After re-districting, he represents Lincoln County and portions of Benton County, and his updates always provide relevant information about issues that impact the entire coast. As the rain is beginning to fall here in Tillamook County, here is his recounting of the ice storm damage to the south in Lincoln County and into the valley. Thousands still remain without power. Rep. Gomberg shares helpful resource information about emergency preparedness. Stay safe!

By State Reprsentative David Gomberg

There is plenty to report from Salem and your legislature as we completed four days of meetings last week in preparation for the short session next month. I’ll leave that news for another day. Our district was hit hard by winter weather over the long weekend. More ice storms are expected. I wanted to focus on that today.

As detailed in an excellent report by Yachats News on Saturday, rain followed by rapidly dropping temperatures moved into Lincoln County from the north causing ice to accumulate on trees, taking down power lines and closing main and secondary roads from Newport north through Lincoln City, isolating Siletz and making most of Otis too dangerous to drive. The story was updated Monday with further news.

Philomath News reported Philomath was already covered in ice and with new storms expected, daily activities are grinding to a halt.

The surprise ice storm knocked out power to wide swaths of Lincoln County for several days, closing highways connecting the coast to the Willamette Valley and leading the County and several cities to declare a state of emergency.

Utilities pulled repair crews around 9 p.m. Saturday because of dark, dangerous conditions caused by the ice and falling trees, returning to work at 6 a.m. Sunday. That left one in four Lincoln County residents – over 10,000 homes and businesses – without power in sub-freezing temperatures.

By contrast, Benton County faired relatively well with power lost to less than 3% of customers. But outtages may well have been focused in the Coast Range that covers our district in West Benton County.

All major highways to the Coast were also closed at some point during the weekend.

Fifteen miles of Oregon Highway 20 east of Newport were closed Saturday and Sunday morning because of falling trees but reopened to traffic shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday. The Oregon Department of Transportation warned of an “extremely icy” road, however.
The first four miles of Oregon Highway 18 north of Lincoln City were closed.
Oregon Highway 229 from Toledo through Siletz to Lincoln City was closed, but county officials said many people were ignoring closure signs, driving the road and encountering downed trees or other issues.
Highway 34 between Waldport and Philomath had downed trees and black ice with one-lane traffic in some areas.

Highway cameras Monday showed roads open but a “severe weather hazard” with ice and snow.

Throughout the weekend, I saw posts on social media asking about road conditions. “Can I get to Salem?” “How is the road to Siletz?” Is Highway 20 open??”

I understand the urge to seek first-hand reports. But I encourage you to first check reliable sources for updates on road closures, conditions, and power outages.

Road closures and highway cameras – www.tripcheck.com or call 511
Weather updates/alerts – National Weather Service: weather.gov
Electric and utility status – Utility Power Outages
Central Lincoln PUD outage map / Central Lincoln PUD outage information / Pacific Power outages and information
Lincoln County emergency alerts and information
Messages sent from Lincoln Alerts: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif

TripCheck is your best source of current road conditions.

In solidarity with all of you, Susan and I spent the weekend in the dark, huddled by the wood stove. We checked in with the neighbors, monitored the news, and maintained connections with appropriate agencies. Outside, chunks of ice the size of softballs fell from our trees making it unsafe to explore the property. The driveway was a sheet of ice. And through the night, we heard the occasional thud of a large tree coming down and hoped the next one would also miss the house.

Sunday we ventured out to wave to power crews as they drove up and down our Otis road.

As I wrote this Sunday morning, parts of Lincoln County continue to experience hazardous road conditions and widespread power outages. Keep yourself and your household safe. Avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. Roads may be blocked with fallen debris and public safety responders may not be able to reach you. Debris may continue to fall.

As of the publishing of this newsletter, forecasts are warning that freezing rain will likely hit the Coast Range this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service said one inch of snow and up to three-quarters of an inch of ice are expected.

A National Weather Service map shows where it expects an ice storm to hit on Tuesday.

If your power goes out, keep yourself warm:

Wear layers of lightweight, warm clothing.
Close blinds or curtains and close off rooms to retain heat.
Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.
Eat and drink to provide energy to your body. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from improper indoor use of generators, temporary heaters, and cookstoves.
Take special care of your pets. Bring them indoors!

Warming shelters and resources for houseless community members or residents temporarily without heat can be found by dialing 2-1-1. On Monday evening, Lincoln County published a list of resources and other storm information on its website.

Newport: Newport Recreation Center, 225 SE Avery St, Newport.
Toledo: St. John’s Epi church, 110 NE Alder St, Toledo, OR 97391
Siletz: Tribal Health Clinic, 200 Gwee-Shut Rd, Siletz, OR 97380.
Lincoln City: Call 541-270-1005 for location information.
Depoe Bay: Closed
Lincoln County: 351 SW 7th Street, Newport OR

Check the web page for information on transportation to shelters.

To constituents and readers outside of Lincoln County, I apologize. I understand you may have been affected as well. But the travel, trees, and power problems were focused in Lincoln – this time. These dire challenges remind us that we are vulnerable to wind, wildfire, winter weather, and eventually, to an earthquake. Having a plan and being prepared will make every difference when the anticipated or unexpected arrives.

Check on your friends and neighbors. Offer assistance when you can. Neighbors may need a ride to shelters or hotels with power, supplies, or other help that you can offer.
Make smart and safe decisions. Many roads have been cleared, but some may still be icy and debris may continue to fall or become hazardous.
If roads are closed, do not try to access them. This puts yourself, first responders, and work crews at risk. This can delay work on the road and may mean first responders won’t be able to reach you.
Be aware sidewalks, paths, and roads may be slippery. Use caution and avoid unnecessary risks.
If you are using generators, practice generator safety and power safety outage safety in general: www.ready.gov/power-outages?fbclid=IwAR13zcEN9GKp79lXEw0M475TilNlmZhOgLYqt47j0D6vKthfEGVpLHGcE-Y#generator

Take care of yourselves. Take care of your family, neighbors and friends. And remember to thank the utility crews and highway workers that braved cold, dark dangerous conditions to restore some sense of normalcy as soon as they were able.

As I read the daily headlines of domestic and international strife, conflict, and division, I often ask myself, what would Martin Luther King do? How would Ghandi or Mandella respond? Would they rationalize violence and reprisals? Would they resort to riots, breaking windows, assaulting our institutions, or defacing property? Or would they pursue a different path?

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an important time of remembrance. With all that is going on around us, let’s pause to consider MLK, Jr. and his non-violent advocacy for civil rights, respect, and societal change.

We live in divisive times. Disagreement is fine but derision is not. And I’m reminded we are at the beginning of a new election year when voting rights and defending democracy remain at the forefront. Hard-fought achievements leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1964, remain at risk today. Let’s remember Dr. King and his dream.

“Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work stood for more than the fight for civil rights. King fought for the fulfillment and realization of America’s principles, values and promises. As we remember and reflect on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there are valuable lessons that should give us hope that we can overcome what we face today in a divided and teetering America”. A Capital Chronicle Commentary this week asks, “What are we willing to stand for during these challenging times we are facing?”

And in the context of MLK Day, the good people at the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon will again be holding a pre-session Interfaith Legislative Forum at the end of January. The Forum will provide an overview of legislative issues of concern to the faith community, with legislators informing the audience of the issues facing the legislature in the coming session.

Consider joining by Zoom on Sunday, January 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m. The forum is free. You can register at the EMO webpage and will receive a confirmation email containing a meeting link and an update when speakers are confirmed.

As I said earlier, I’ll be back next week with details of the January Legislative Days and more news of the February Session.

I had plans to be in Waldport this morning for a Chamber breakfast and Alsea for a town hall Wednesday – unfortunately, both events have been cancelled due to weather. I hope to visit Philomath on Thursday and then meet with Samaritan Health Services to discuss their legislative priorities. Thursday evening I’m also scheduled in Newport for a Business After Hours event.

All of this is of course weather and road-dependent. Take care of yourselves. Stay warm and safe.

And thanks as always for reading.

Warm Regards,