LIVE BLOG: Road closures from storm, TriMet impacts so far and more
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A winter storm has arrived in the Portland metro region, bringing dangerously cold temperatures, gusty winds, snow and even ice to much of the Willamette Valley.
These weather conditions could lead to power outages, bad road conditions and bitter wind chill, according to the KOIN 6 Weather team.
This live blog will be updated often as the Arctic blast sweeps through.
Saturday 11 a.m.
In Vancouver, Vine bus lines 2, 6, 9, 19, 30, 31, 32, 74 and 92 are on snow route. The Current service is suspended in all areas.
Saturday 10:30 a.m.
U.S. 101 has closed in both directions at the junction with U.S. 26 between Seaside and Cannon Beach due to hazardous road conditions. Freezing rain is making roads slippery, and trucks without tire chains are losing traction or jack-knifing. An ODOT sand spreader is on that section of highway now, but it may take time to reopen. Snow and ice are affecting roads in lower elevations across northwest Oregon, including Portland and the Willamette Valley. Coastal areas are seeing heavy rain, freezing rain and cold temperatures. Reschedule your travel if possible.
Saturday 10:22 a.m.
Officials are investigating a potential hypothermia death in the Portland area. Multnomah County reported that one person died on Saturday as the city faced dangerously cold conditions. The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct further tests to determine whether the death was caused by severe weather. Authorities estimate that the investigation could take several weeks or months.
Saturday 9:40 a.m.
Service Alert: MAX Blue and Red lines service are disrupted due to down tree blocking tracks near Beaverton Transit Center. A shuttle bus will serve from Beaverton Transit Center to Sunset Transit Center. Expect delays.
Service Alert: MAX Orange and Yellow lines service is also disrupted due to a signal issue at South Waterfront/S Moody Ave. A shuttle bus will serve between PSU South/SW 5th & Jackson St and Clinton/SE 12th Ave. Expect delays.
Saturday 9:15 a.m.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is reporting these road closures in the city due to downed trees:
SE 13th Avenue between SE Yamhill and SE Belmont
SE Belmont St. between SE 12th and SE 13th
NE Holman St, west of NE 112th Avenue
NE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, between Hazelfern Pl and Laurelhurst Pl
NW Skyline Blvd from NW Lightning Ridge Drive to Wind Ridge Drive
NE Flanders Street from Laurelhurst Place to Laddington Circle
Saturday 9 a.m.
Oaks Park announces its closure for the day.
Saturday 8:45 a.m.
The city of Hillsboro announced the closures of the following:
Hillsboro Public Library facilities (Brookwood & Shute Park libraries).
Hillsboro Parks & Recreation facilities (SHARC, Hidden Creek Community Center, Outdoors In) are closed. All programs are also canceled.
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. But outdoor areas remain available for community use.
Hidden Creek Park West’s playground.
However, Hondo Dog Park’s winter area will remain open.
Saturday 8:35 a.m.
Lake Oswego Police report trees are coming down and blocking roads in the area. They say to expect delays if you have to go out.Hondo Dog Park’s winter area will remain openLake Oswego Police report trees are coming down and blocking roads in the area. They say to expect delays if you have to go out.
Saturday 8:30 a.m.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is reporting these road closures in the city due to downed trees:
SE 13th Avenue between SE Yamhill and SE Belmont
SE Belmont St. between SE 12th and SE 13th
NE Holman St, west of NE 112th Avenue
NE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, between Hazelfern Pl and Laurelhurst Pl
NW Skyline Blvd from NW Lightning Ridge Drive to Wind Ridge Drive
Saturday 8 a.m.
Both the Oregon Zoo and Portland Art Museum announce they are closed for the day.
Saturday 7:57 a.m.
Passengers on The Vine buses on Fourth Plain and Mill Plain in Vancouver may need to use the adverse weather boarding location for each station. All other C-TRAN routes and services are operating normally at this time.
Winter Storm Warning in effect for Portland metro as snow, ice, dangerous cold hits region
Saturday 7:50 a.m.
Portland Fire & Rescue crews are on the scene after a tree fell on a tent in the area of SE 94th and SE Gladstone St. Initial reports say that fallen limbs have trapped three people inside the tent and crews are working to get them out now.
Saturday 7:30 a.m.
Portland Parks & Recreation announces all community centers, arts centers, indoor sports facilities, permitted field games/practices and the Portland Tennis Center are closed for the day. All classes and activities are also canceled for the day.
Saturday 7 a.m.
TriMet is reporting a few impacts so far from the winter storm bearing down on the region. According to TriMet, Bus Route Line 20 Burnside/Stark is still running but impacted and is using detours due to snow. MAX service is also still running, but TriMet is hearing about power outages and downed lines.
Winter storm brings power outages to Oregon, SW Washington
Saturday 6:45 a.m.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is already reporting road closures in the city due to downed trees:
SE 13th Avenue between SE Yamhill and SE Belmont
SE Belmont St. between SE 12th and SE 13th
NE Holman St, west of NE 112th Avenue
Saturday 5:30 a.m.
Light and dry snow flurries are starting to push through parts of the Portland metro area. The brunt of the moisture remains in the southern Willamette Valley, but is tracking north. Roads around Portland are seeing blowing snow with hidden black ice. Extreme caution should be used when driving early Saturday morning. The brunt of the moisture isn’t expected until later Saturday afternoon.
Dangerous temperatures remain across the region. Feel-like conditions are already starting to drop close to zero degrees. Exposure to these cold and windy conditions on unprotected skin can cause frostbite quickly.
Stick with KOIN 6 News for more on this KOIN 6 Weather Alert.
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