The Columbus Day Storm of October 12, 1962
From the desk of Sean Lanksbury. PNW & Special Collections Librarian
Many Pacific Northwesterners recall the Columbus Day Storm of October 12, 1962 with the same vivid memories as we remember the Mount St. Helens eruptions of May 1980.
For those who were witness to the storm, it remains a terrifying testament to the destructive force of nature. The storm that began in the deep western Pacific as a typhoon named “Freda” was ignored at the time by many meteorologists and media forecasters, due to insufficient data and reporting, until reports of grim marine weather conditions rolled in the morning of the 12th.
The peak wind measurements remain untouched in this region. Speeds reached 160 mph in Naselle by the evening and were equally high elsewhere on the coast and inland. When it finally subsided the toll was staggering. This force of natural power claimed 46 lives and left millions without power across the region, from Ukiah, CA to Victoria, B.C.
The State Library commemorates the 50th Anniversary of this somber event by encouraging readers to learn more about Pacific Northwest Weather History and Forecasting with a newly created list of selected resources in the collection. The library also has numerous state and federal resources on disaster preparedness and emergency response available for public use. Please feel free to use the Ask-A-Librarian service for more information.