Severe weather rolls through Willamette Valley
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Severe weather rolled through the Willamette Valley Saturday. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties in southwest Washington expired at 6:30 p.m.
Much of western Oregon and southwest Washington Saturday were part of a KOIN 6 Weather Alert. Storms tracked north through the evening hours.
KOIN Weather Alerts
There was a moderate chance of lightning, localized flooding and some hail attached with these storms. The greatest threat was between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. as the storms moved north into Southwest Washington.
The heaviest of the weather was done by 10 p.m.
Portland and Vancouver's severe weather threat will start to decrease around midnight going into Sunday.
Power Outages
As of 9:45 p.m., there are about 13,000 customers in the Oregon/Southwest Washington corridor that are without power -- About 4700 from PGE, about 7000 from Pacific Power and another 1000 from Clark County PUD.
No damage has yet been reported. The NWS reported large hail in North Clackamas County south of Government Camp.
Outdoor events affected
Weather cancelled the Beaverton Night Market shortly after it began. Organizers told KOIN 6 News they will try and figure out a way to re-schedule, but the "worst case scenario" is that they will be back next year.
People who were at the Beaverton Night Market scattered and took shelter as the severe weather rolled in.
The National Weather Service defines severe weather as, "a thunderstorm that produces a tornado, winds of at least 58 mph, and/or hail at least 1" in diameter. Structural wind damage may imply the occurrence of a severe thunderstorm. A thunderstorm wind equal to or greater than 40 mph and/or hail of at least ½" is defined as approaching severe."
Stay up to date with the KOIN 6 Weather Team as the severe weather threat lasts this weekend.