Oregon winter storm live updates: Roads still icy

Alia Beard Rau, Salem Statesman Journal
·9 min read
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A winter storm that shut down much of western Oregon Friday with ice and freezing rain has mostly abated as of Saturday afternoon. But with heavy holiday travel traffic expected over the next several days, drivers are still advised to check weather conditions and travel routes before they get on the road.

1 p.m. Saturday: Weather update

The National Weather Service winter storm warning for the central Willamette Valley has expired as of noon. Rain is likely to continue through Christmas Day in the Salem area.

11 a.m. Saturday: Travel update

Interstate 84 between Troutdale and Hood River is now back open, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

State highways continue to be open and mostly clear of delays in western Oregon so far.

9 a.m. Saturday: Travel update

The state's major highways were mostly clear Saturday morning, but the Oregon Department of Transportation is reporting some road closures.

  • Oregon 18 one mile east of Otis milepost 2 is closed due to a landslide.

  • Interstate 84 is closed from Troutdale to Hood River due to the weather.

For a full list or to check your route, visit tripcheck.com.

3:30 p.m. Friday: No more mail

The U.S. Postal Service in Salem has stopped delivering mail for today.

Mail carriers were out this morning, a spokesperson said, but had to be called back due to the ice. If you haven't gotten your mail today, don't go looking for it. Mail carriers will deliver mail again tomorrow.

Oscar Tweto, 12, of Portland, uses a claw hammer to break through the ice on the Salem street where he was visiting his grandmother Friday.
Oscar Tweto, 12, of Portland, uses a claw hammer to break through the ice on the Salem street where he was visiting his grandmother Friday.

1:45 p.m. Friday: Power outages reported across the valley

Portland General Electric is reporting 88 active power outages affecting more than 9,500 customers Friday afternoon. There are seven outages in Marion County as of 1:45 p.m., including one in Salem affecting more than 200 customers, according to PGE. Most outages have been caused by high winds.

10:45 a.m. Friday: Hoodoo delays opening

Due to hazardous conditions, Hoodoo is delaying its opening until at least noon. Check skihoodoo.com for updates. 10 a.m. Friday:

Salem closes in-person services

The city has closed all in-person services at the Civic Center complex, City Hall, Salem Public Library, Center 50 plus, Customer Service Center, Permit Application Center, Salem Housing Authority and Municipal Court offices for the day. They will reopen Tuesday after the holiday.

All essential services, including police, fire, public works and medical services will continue.

Ice blankets roads, sidewalks and lawns in Northeast Salem Dec. 23.
Ice blankets roads, sidewalks and lawns in Northeast Salem Dec. 23.

8 a.m. Friday: Weather update

The National Weather Service's latest forecast for the Salem area calls for freezing rain to continue until about 3 p.m. and then rain likely. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 36 degrees during the day, but start to warm up a bit overnight. Saturday's expected high is 52 degrees.

7 a.m. Friday: Headed out of town? Check your flights

More than a dozen flights in and out of Eugene Airport and 190 in and out of Portland International have been canceled so far today, according to the tracking website flightaware.com.

Alaska Airlines announced it was canceling all Alaska Airlines and Horizon departures out of Seattle and Portland until noon because of icy runway conditions.

Ice coats the trees, roofs and streets of South Salem on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
Ice coats the trees, roofs and streets of South Salem on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.

6:30 a.m.: Friday closures

Some schools, businesses and government offices have announced closures Friday, Dec. 23. Here are the ones we've seen so far:

Family Building Blocks: All locations will be closed Friday.

Institute of Technology in Salem: Closed Friday.

Marion County offices, Circuit Court: Closed until Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Oregon appellate courts, tax court, state court administrative office and Supreme Court: Partially closed Friday for the purpose of staffing public counters and filing documents. Scheduled remote hearings will continue. The closure won't impact eFilings systems, remote access to case records or issuance of decisions. Employees will work offsite or remotely.

Oregon Humane Society: The Portland and Salem campuses of the Oregon Humane Society will be closed on Friday. An inclement weather crew if staff and volunteers are taking care of animals. Adoption appointments are being rescheduled and all training classes are canceled.

Oregon Office of Public Defense Services: Offices in Salem and Portland are closed Friday.

Oregon state offices: All state government offices except courts and legislative offices will be closed Friday in the Portland and Salem metro areas. Visit www.oregon.gov/das for more info.

Oregon Zoo: Closed for daytime operations Friday. ZooLights canceled for Friday night. Ticketholders will receive refunds.

Points West Credit Union: Closed Friday.

Portland State University: Campus will be closed Friday, but operating remotely.

Riverview Bank: All branches closed.

9:30 p.m. Thursday: Weather update

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a report on Oregon's freezing rain, listing it as "concerning."

11:30 p.m. Thursday: Power outages

No widespread power outages reported in the Mid-Valley at this point.

11:30 p.m. Thursday: Stay off roads, if you can

Freezing rain has made roads hazardous or impossible to use, especially at higher elevations in the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges, the Oregon Department of Transportation said.

"Stay off the highway for Thursday night if you can," the department said in a news release. "Highways may be closing due to the severe weather and multiple-vehicle crashes in the icy road conditions. It is impossible to estimate when each highway can reopen.'

Closures as of 11:30 p.m. included:

  • Interstate 84 is closed in both directions in the Columbia River Gorge from Troutdale to Hood River due to hazardous conditions. The interstate will remain closed from exists 17 to 64 until conditions improve.

6:30 p.m.: Oregon 22 closed 2 miles east of Gates

The Oregon Department of Transportation says all lanes of Oregon 22 are closed 2 miles east of Gates due to a crash< There is not estimate on reopening. Motorists should use an alternate route.

6 p.m.: Snow accumulating on Santiam Highway

This Oregon Department of Transportation road camera image on US Route 20 at the Santiam Junction shows the temperature at 10 degrees with snow falling and accumulating on road Thursday evening.
This Oregon Department of Transportation road camera image on US Route 20 at the Santiam Junction shows the temperature at 10 degrees with snow falling and accumulating on road Thursday evening.

5 p.m.: Salem-Keizer Friday activities canceled

Salem-Keizer Public Schools has canceled all Friday activities, including athletics, due to the weather.

4:30 p.m.: Keizer power outage

Portland General Electric is reporting 3,492 customers near Keizer Station are without power due to high winds. No restoration time was given.

So far, that's PGE's only report of a widespread outage in the Mid-Valley.

3:15 p.m.: Warming centers open

Here is available shelter information for the Marion County area:

  • Salem First Presbyterian Church, 770 Chemeketa St. NE, Salem; open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; shuttle service available.

  • Santiam Outreach Community Center, 280 NE Santiam Blvd. Mill City; open from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on days when temperatures drop below 34 degrees; leashed pets allowed; call (971) 332-5676 for current information.

  • Ray of Hope, 1540 Hardcastle Ave., Woodburn; check in between 7 and 8 p.m.; open when temperatures drop below 37 degrees.

  • HOAP, 649 Church St. NE, Salem; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday; no overnight availability.

  • Union Gospel Mission, 777 Commercial St. NE, Salem; shelter for men only; call 503-967-6388 for additional information.

  • Arches Day Center, 615 Commercial St. NE, Salem; call 503-399-9080 for most current info.

2:30 p.m. Thursday: Forecast update

The National Weather Service is predicting an overnight low of 26 degrees tonight with 100% chance of freezing rain.
The National Weather Service is predicting an overnight low of 26 degrees tonight with 100% chance of freezing rain.

The latest National Weather Service forecast for Friday calls for freezing rain before 10 a.m., then rain with a high near 36 degrees for the day. The overnight low Friday is expected to be 35 degrees.

The is a 90% chance of rain Saturday with the high near 52 degrees. New precipitation amounts could range from a quarter and half of an inch of rain.

2 p.m.: It's quiet downtown

Downtown Salem was quiet ahead of the storm Thursday. Some brave shoppers braced against the cold before snow and freezing rain started falling.
Downtown Salem was quiet ahead of the storm Thursday. Some brave shoppers braced against the cold before snow and freezing rain started falling.

1 p.m.: Too cold to ski

Noon Thursday: A great day for soup

Skyler Bussard, owner of Sunny's Soup in the basement of the Reed Opera House in downtown Salem, was doing brisk business Thursday, in advance of the winter storm. Bussard said he keeps making sure he had enough supplies and water. He said he did not have power for nine days after the ice storm in 2021.
Skyler Bussard, owner of Sunny's Soup in the basement of the Reed Opera House in downtown Salem, was doing brisk business Thursday, in advance of the winter storm. Bussard said he keeps making sure he had enough supplies and water. He said he did not have power for nine days after the ice storm in 2021.

11 a.m. Thursday: Early closures

Some schools, businesses and government offices are beginning to announce early closures Thursday in anticipation of inclement weather. Here are the ones we've seen so far:

Chemeketa Community College: Early release at 1 p.m., all afternoon and evening activities canceled. The campuses will remain closed for winter holidays through Monday.

The Grotto: The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights in Portland will be closed Thursday night. Visit the website for ticket refund info.

Institute of Technology: The Salem campus will close at 3 p.m. Thursday and reopen at 10 a.m. Friday.

Marion County Circuit Court: Closed at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Molalla River School District: All campuses closing as of 4 p.m. Thursday. All athletics and activities canceled after 4 p.m.

Oregon Office of Public Defense Services: Offices in Salem and Portland are closed.

Oregon Zoo: Evening activities canceled, including ZooLights. Refunds will be issued.

10 a.m. Thursday: Snow likely this afternoon

The latest National Weather Service report indicates snow is likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Expected accumulation is less than half an inch.

Snow and freezing rain is expected to begin before 7 p.m., and then turning to freezing rain overnight. Ice and snow accumulation is possible overnight and into early Friday morning.

Pretreating roads

Salem Public Works crews said they are readying equipment, alerting staff and pretreating major roads and bridges in city limits with liquid deicer.

They predict conditions will be worst in the early morning hours Friday.

How to prepare:Winter storm is coming to the Willamette Valley, Pacific Northwest. Are you ready?

Check your drive route

Heading out of town? Check the weather conditions along your route by visiting tripcheck.com or calling 511 for current road conditions first.

Consider bringing an emergency kit in your vehicle with you, just in case. Include a flashlight, snow and ice scraper, first-aid kit, blanket, food, water jumper cables and a spare tire.

Prepare for power outages

Wind and ice accumulation could cause power outages, power companies and Eugene city officials said.

Pacific Power said it is preparing to address outages if and when they occur. Anyone who loses power should first check fuses and circuit breakers, Pacific Power said. If those don't bring power back, report the outage by calling 1-877-508-5088 or texting OUT to 722797.

Households also should prepare emergency outage kits with a flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water and blankets.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon winter storm updates: Highways mostly open, clear