During the period of December 1-3, 2007, an extratropical cyclone of unusual magnitude struck areas of coastal Oregon and Washington. Over a period of three days, two separate storms impacted the coast with hurricane-force gusts and heavy rain. The region between approximately Newport, OR, and Hoquiam, WA, received the strongest winds since the great Columbus Day Storm of 1962, with some areas of southwest Washington possibly receiving even stronger winds The storm was believed to have caused significant tree windthrow along the coast in a 30-mile wide strip, with the more intense disturbance occurring south of Grays Harbor.
Landowners were concerned about recovering value and restoring stands affected by the storms. Large amounts of downed wood have potential to contribute to insect infestations and may also pose a wildfire threat. The Washington Department of Natural Resources, small landowners, and forestry consultants expressed interest in a comprehensive damage map of the area.
On March 6 and 7, 2008, the tree blowdown aerial survey was flown in western Washington. The aerial survey was flown at a speed of 90-120 mph and at a height of approximately 1,500 feet above ground level. Two observers (one on each side of the plane) looked out over a 1.5 mile swath of forestland and marked on a digital touch screen computer areas with wind thrown trees. Percentage of stand affected was assigned to each recorded digital polygon, as well as whether the trees were conifers or hardwoods. A third surveyor was in the plane on March 6th, taking photographs of the wind thrown trees.
The storm was believed to have caused significant tree windthrow along the coast in a 30-mile wide strip, with the more intense disturbance occurring south of Grays Harbor. Landowners were concerned about recovering value and restoring stands affected by the storms. Large amounts of downed wood have potential to contribute to insect infestations and may also pose a wildfire threat. The Washington Department of Natural Resources, small landowners, and forestry consultants expressed interest in a comprehensive damage map of the area.
On March 6th and 7th, 2008, an aerial survey was conducted to map the tree blowdown.
This aerial survey was conducted by Jeff Hubert, Amy Ramsey and Dan Omdal of the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Forest Health program. Carolyn Barkley of the Washington Department of Natural Resources provided contract advice. Thanks also to our pilot, Paul Etchemendy, as well as our federal cooperators Keith Sprengel, Ben Smith and Julie Johnson.