(Photo by Jamie Hale/The Oregonian)

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By The Oregonian/OregonLive staff

Monstrous waves, some twice the size of a two-story home, are battering the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The display of oceanic power, fueled by a storm system off the coast, has made for some fantastic storm watching, but has created dangerous conditions for beach-goers and some oceanside businesses.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is no longer searching for a man in his mid-40s who was swept away by a wave in Depoe Bay after what the agency reported as "negative results." The man had reportedly ventured over a sea wall to look at the ocean during the storm earlier in the day. He is presumed dead, Oregon State Police said.

The man was a Newport resident, originally from Mexico.The search has effectively been terminated, OSP announced, because of Friday's forecast of low ocean temperatures and surf conditions. The Mexican Consulate is notifying next of kin.

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Kyllo's Seafood and Grill suffered damage during Thursday's storm in Lincoln City.

Photo by North Lincoln Fire & Rescue

North Lincoln Fire & Rescue reported damage to Kyllo's Seafood and Grill and the Sea Gypsy and Sand Castle motels in Lincoln City, posting photos of damage to the establishments along with news that one person had been hospitalized after being hit by a wave.

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In Lincoln City, a 60-foot wave crashed into beachfront condos, pushing one woman across the room! Damage is extensive. pic.twitter.com/3XLxh24Owl — Katherine Cook (@KCookKGW) January 19, 2018

Several media on site reported on the damage to the Sea Gypsy building. KGW spoke with a woman who was swept across the room as a wave crashed into her condo.

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Very large seas are impacting the Oregon and Washington coastal waters. Seas of this magnitude only occur every couple of years, on average. High surf conditions will create extreme danger on beaches and coastal jetties through the rest of the day. #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/7FzUP0rTmH — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 18, 2018

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At least one woman was injured Thursday morning when she was knocked over by a wave on the beach at Road's End in Lincoln City, KGW reported. She was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries and the beach was closed after the incident. A man in Brookings was nearly swept off the beach after a sneaker wave caught him and his dog by surprise, according to KDRV TV. He and the pooch escaped unharmed.

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Coast Guard helicopter and ground crews are working with local responders to search for a 57-year-old male who was swept into the ocean north of Depoe Bay, OR, around 11:30 a.m. — USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) January 18, 2018

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Around noon, the Coast Guard reported that it was searching for a man who had been swept out to sea.

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Dangerous beach conditions on Thursday. Low-lying structures & roads could be flooded or impacted by debris. Beaches & jetties will be covered by deep water. This is NOT the time to be on beaches & jetties. #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/btWkxOzlrY — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 17, 2018

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We are on the way to Lincoln City. FD tells us Kyllo's Seafood & Grill was hit by large wave, severing the building's gas line. Utility crews turned off gas, No injuries, but building suffered damage. PC: Lincoln City Fire #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/B6qJGH4A3l — Chris Liedle (@chrisliedle) January 18, 2018

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The National Weather Service issued warnings about high surf and coastal flooding, urging those near the coast to stay away from beaches and jetties.

"Ocean water will rush much further up beaches and jetties than normal. Structures and roads located immediately at beach level will likely be inundated by waves and damaged by debris," the weather service wrote. "Many beaches, jetties, and rocky outcroppings will be covered by deep water."

But the raw power of a wild sea has an alluring power.

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#bigwaves this morning at #TerribleTilly lighthouse. Photos courtesy Laurel McCoy @MizzLaurel. Top of light is over 130 ft ASL pic.twitter.com/utsemGKxD3 — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 18, 2018

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In Depoe Bay, Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Jamie Hale reported towering waves crashing against the shore with spray easily topping the sea wall and showering motorists on Highway 101, which runs through the coastal town.

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It’s a great day for storm watching on the Oregon coast! Posted by The Oregonian on Thursday, January 18, 2018

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Evan Bentley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland, made his way to the coast in southern Washington. He was not alone.

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Figured out the spot to get the best photos. So did hundreds of my newest friends. Will pull down some of the best shots from my camera and post them #ORwx WAwx @NWSPortland pic.twitter.com/ziVwF0a6I6 — Evan Bentley (@evan_bentley) January 18, 2018

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Reporting from Cape Disappointment, Bentley said that the large waves, expected to crest with the high tide around noon, were bringing piles of debris onshore.

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Already debris over the path from the last high tide. Can only imagine how much worse it will get at the highest tide here in 2 hours. #ORwx #WAwx @NWSPortland pic.twitter.com/WaIB2crLuy — Evan Bentley (@evan_bentley) January 18, 2018

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Unreal photo opportunities today at Cape Disappointment, WA. Can't wait to dig through these photos in more detail later. #WAwx #ORwx @NWSPortland @WeatherNation pic.twitter.com/izoB5kPAkV — Evan Bentley (@evan_bentley) January 18, 2018

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High surf, debris and erosion closes Fort Stevens Peter Iredale beach access, Lincoln City D River Wayside and Roads End beach access, Cape Kiwanda and beach access, Newport South Jetty, Boiler Bay Viewpoint and west parking area at Heceta Head Lighthouse. — Oregon State Parks (@ORStateParks) January 18, 2018

The treacherous waves forced the closure of a number of beaches and access points up and down the coast.

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In Cannon Beach, the waves were large enough to push seawater past the beach and into the town.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian