And lately we’ve been experiencing a new breed of visitor - the Storm Watcher! It’s true; people are now coming to the Mendocino Coast to watch our storms! And why not? Two or three or four times over the winter - usually December through March - our Coast is buffeted, tossed around and turned inside out by some magnificent storms. They can be

The Storm Watcher keeps an eye on the weather patterns and forecasts and when the storm indicators point to the Mendocino Coast, the Storm Watcher heads for the Coast. Visitors - and some locals, too - delight in walking along the oceanfront bluffs all along the Coast to watch as huge, wind-whipped waves come rolling in to break dramatically against the rocky bluffs… as the waves crash against the rocks and sea stacks offshore, throwing tons of white spray up to the sky.

Not all Storm Watchers head out into the wind or onto the bluffs; some Storm Watchers – the less hardy types – sit in front of picture windows and watch the same storm, but from a decidedly warmer and dryer spot. To some, there is a definite advantage to storm watching when it can be done from the side of a cozy, roaring wood fire with brandy or wine glass in hand.

There have been storms that have broken off tops of towering trees or entirely uprooted massive redwoods, pine and firs. Whole groves of majestic trees have been blown down together to be scattered like matchsticks thrown to the forest floor. Others have been tossed across our roads and streets and as they go they pull power and phone lines with them to create piles of spaghetti in the roadways.

Heavy rain driven by fierce winds can last for hours or, sometimes, even two or three days without ceasing. As the water runs off the steep hillsides the rivers swell and rush to the ocean, and at times overflow their banks, closing sections of roads and highways. We don't become stranded, however; there are always other roads in and out of the area.

Despite heroic efforts by emergency crews from PG&E, Pacific Bell, Caltrans, County and City Maintenance personnel, Volunteer Firemen, the Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s office and City Police, we are sometimes deprived of the good things in life. We are inconvenienced for hours or maybe even days by the loss of electric power, telephones, heat, hot showers and the like, but we are resourceful and lighten the gloom with candles, kerosene lamps, lanterns, battery-powered lamps and radios. Most of us are able to stay warm with wood-burning fireplaces and stoves and we have even learned to cook using the fire we have. For the visitor who is caught unawares by the fury of the storm, many of our inns, Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, motels, vacation rentals and restaurants have emergency generators to provide at least basic needs to visitors.

Some of our local residents and business people grumble and groan when our legendary storms hit the Coast, but most have learned to live with it; it’s part of living on the Coast. Besides, it does absolutely no good to stand out in the driving rain to scream and shout invective into the storm’s face. No self-respecting storm would care.

Although there is occasional inconvenience, storms - at least to the visitor or tourist - can be exciting and thrilling. And even local residents, when pressed, will sometimes admit to the same.

Go ahead... live a little on the edge...