June 26, 2009

10 Year Low Tides

Posted in community, Fun, Portland, travel tagged extreme low tides, Oregon Coast, Oregon Tide tables, Proposal Rock, sneaker waves at 10:33 am by pdxfirefly

    Oregon is experienceing extreme low tides at this time.  If you have not had the chance to go to the Coast, this would be a great time to do so.  The weather is perfect and the Oregon Coast will be revealing special treasures for all to see (don’t touch –protected environment) at low tide.   Be sure to check the tide tables for the beach city you want to visit.  http://www.oregoncoasttidetables.com/

     A word of caution —Oregon Coast Guard warns —never turn your back on the ocean –be sure to watch out for “sneaker waves”.  An Oregon man’s fiance drowned just after he asked her to marry him on Proposal Rock when a sneaker wave washed her out to sea.  Her remains were never recovered.  http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_120408_news_bride_swept_away.2e2db193.html

   The clue that a sneaker wave is coming is a large withdrawal of the ocean after a period of smaller waves,” Horning said. “The withdrawal represents a magnified trough preceding a magnified peak – a big wave – that is following. If the ocean pulls out an abnormal distance, keep an eye on it and plan your escape route – if you are in an area that can be flooded by the coming big surge.”  http://www.beachconnection.net/news/swave110907_812.htm

“Another trick to estimating if a site is safe is to stay on dry ground, as that site should not get swamped by waves,” Horning said. “But this only works if the weather is dry. If it has been raining, you have to study the site to see if it has foam or bits of debris from waves. You should also keep in mind when the tide will peak. A site can be dry early in the tidal cycle, but can be hit by waves as the tide rises. Caution and a close eye on the ocean is needed.

Remember the sunscreen!!

“Foolishness has killed not only the fools, but those who try to rescue them.”

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