Governor Kulongoski has declared a state of emergency for Umatilla County to help cope with the impact of a Pacific storm that spread high winds and damage through parts of the state.

 More: Wind Advisory | Doppler Radar

In Tigard, one gust toppled a tree onto a house Friday night. There were no reports of injuries.

Pacific Power said that at one point, 11,000 people were without power in Northern California and Oregon.

And because of to the type of system damage, customers could expect extended outages. Crews said many downed lines were in remote locations, and had to be repaired one by one.

"The coast could see wind gusts between 80-85 miles per hour," Zaffino said, "and even in the Metro area we could see gusts as high as 65 mpiles per hour," KGW Meteorologist Matt Zaffino said.

 Current conditions: Oregon | Washington

 Mountains: Avalanche deaths in U.S. this season

Rain was expected to return to the valley starting Friday, as well.

The snow level was expected to drop to 500 feet Saturday as cooler air moves into the Northwest. A Snow Advisory called for up to 6 inches of new snow in the Cascades Friday night, but the heaviest snow was expected tol fall Saturday afternoon and Sunday, Zaffino said, when the Cascades will pick up another foot and a half of snow.

Metro residents could also see flakes flying in the city during the weekend. Zaffino said the snow level would drop to between 500-1000 feet by Saturday evening, with possible hail in Portland Saturday and the chance for snow in the air through Monday.

"Snow showers will alternate with sun breaks Sunday with sticking snow in the West Hills but not on the valley floor,” Zaffino added.

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The cities of Adams, Athena, Milton-Freewater, Pilot Rock and Weston were the hardest hit.

The emergency declaration allows Umatilla County to immediately receive any state assistance needed and begin processing any requests for federal assistance.

The storm that slammed into the West Coast on Friday interrupted travel on the two main interstate freeways in Oregon and forced the closure of the Mount Ashland ski area due to blizzard conditions.

Shipping traffic was also stalled yesterday after high winds and surf forced the Coast Guard to close the Tillamook Bay and Columbia River bars.

 More: Details on I-84 closure

Photo from Oregon State Police

Wind gusts blew over this semi-truck in I-84 near La Grande.

The winds were powerful enough to topple at least three semi-trucks and a motorhome, and one trooper said his windshield was shattered by blowing debris.

Slideshow: Toppled semi trucks

Elsewhere, in Central Oregon, a woman driving to work was killed when a large tree snapped in the wind and fell on her minivan. A tree also fell on at least one area home and a firetruck but no one was seriously injured in either of those freak accidents.