Oregon Public Broadcasting

The storm that downed trees and caused flooding in some parts of Oregon and Southwest Washington in early December left many visible signs of destruction, but others aren't so visible.

Three weather buoys operated by the National Weather Service are either damaged or missing. One buoy is lost at sea some 600 miles off Northern California.

Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say they know where perhaps the most important buoy is, but it is too dangerous to get to it - right on the Columbia River Bar.

Gary Lewin is a boat captain who knows the importance of those buoys.  He calls navigating the bar a "nightmare" at times.  Lewin says the buoys provided real time conditions that boat captains depend on.

Gary Lewin" "We know what to anticipate given whether the tide is ebbing or flooding and how much water is in the river and everything else.  And given those offshore buoy reports, we're able to keep the river safer let's put it that way.  Now we're even more cautious."

Officials with the National Weather Service hope to replace the buoys in about a month, or whenever the weather allows it.