Fort Vancouver Tapestry

60. Columbus Day Storm

1962 Columbus Day Storm

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Sponsored by: Sheila & John Remley
The Columbus Day Storm of 1962 was the most damaging storm of the century for the Pacific Northwest. In less than 12 hours, over 11 billion board feet of timber was blown down in northern California, Oregon and Washington combined; this exceeded the annual timber harvest for Oregon and Washington at the time. At least 46 fatalities were attributed to this storm, more than for any other Pacific Northwest wind event. Injuries were in the hundreds. Pearson Airpark was described as a massive junkyard of overturned airplanes and twisted hangers.
Portland, Oregon measured wind gusts of 116 mph at the Morrison Street Bridge.
Chamorro, the language of Guam, is in the top border.