Correction appended

UPDATE Thursday: Weather service clocks wind speed along the Oregon coast (videos)

UPDATE Thursday: Pacific Power: 1,824 remain without power after high winds

UPDATE: 37-year-old Portland man driving on U.S. 26 dies after tree falls on car, troopers say

The National Weather Service has issued what is believed to be only the sixth warning involving hurricane-force winds in Oregon since 2007, as gusts of up to 90 mph are expected off the coast Wednesday night.

The service issued wind advisories for several areas along Oregon and Washington's coast and inlands, while saying hurricane force winds could occur in coastal waters.

Forecasters expect peak winds of as much as 45 mph to hit the central and northern Oregon coast about 5 p.m. Wednesday and last through 11 p.m. Coastal residents and travelers should expect wind gusts of up to 85 mph along beaches and headlands, the service said.

The National Weather Service has issued what is believed to be only the sixth hurricane force wind warning for Oregon since 2007. Credit: Laura Joki

Warnings for hurricane-force means winds must surpass 64 knots, or about 74 mph, according to the weather service.

"We only use the hurricane-force terminology over the coastal waters," but equally strong winds along the coastal beaches carry significant potential damage, said Andy Bryant, a hydrologist with the weather service's Portland office.

Vessels should remain in port or take shelter until winds and waves subside. The winds are expected to be strong enough to damage trees, disrupt power and damage property. Travel could be hazardous.

"Based on experience, we've anticipated and prepared for this weather and the outages that could occur," said Curtis Mansfield, vice president of operations for Pacific Power, which serves parts of Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. "Our crews are prepared to respond, and so we encourage our customers to be prepared as well."

Each home should have flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water and blankets.

Further inland, the Portland and Columbia River Gorge areas should see winds peak from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Thursday. South winds should reach 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Elsewhere, a winter weather advisory remains in effect along the Cascades through 4 p.m. Wednesday. Snow should fall at levels above 3,000 feet then rise to 5,000 later Wednesday. Drivers should be prepared for icy or snow covered roads.

-- Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports

This post was corrected to reflect that hurricane force warning has been issued six times for the Oregon coast since 2007. Early information from the National Weather Service provided an incorrect figure.