Coast battens down for big blow

Coast battens down for big blow: "Coast battens down for big blow
Storm - With gusts at 90 mph predicted, locals button up as out-of-towners reserve rooms to watch nature's wild show
FACTBOX

• Storm watch
Saturday, February 04, 2006
LORI TOBIAS

NEWPORT -- Fierce winds and torrential rains are the norm during coastal winters, but with warnings Friday of an impending front packing gusts as strong as 90 mph, even locals took note: Some nervous shop owners closed early and hotel reservation clerks fielded an onslaught of calls from storm watchers."