As weekend bursts give way to possible freezing rain and the National Weather Service warns of an ice storm on Sunday night, the Oregon Department of Transportation gave drivers advice until Monday morning.
“Stay home, stay safe and off the road for now,” said spokesman Gary Leaming.
Authorities did not say how long this warning will be true, but that drivers should monitor TripCheck before planning any trips. The meteorological service predicts that temperatures will reach 40 degrees on Monday afternoon.
The agency predicted an overnight low of 32 degrees with a 100% chance of precipitation in the Portland area. The agency predicts that between 1/10 to 3/10 of an inch of ice will accumulate.
The frost in the sky is expected to turn into rain at around 8 am on Monday, according to the forecast of the meteorological service.
The cold weather at the weekend prompted authorities to keep three shelters and warming places in the Portland area open for the fourth consecutive night, in addition to the shelters that have been open all season.
Governor Kate Brown issued a state of extreme climate emergency in nine counties on Saturday, including all three that make up the Portland metropolitan area.
Road closures and traffic disruptions were excessive. And fallen power lines and explosions from transformers have left nearly 236,000 Oregon homes without power since 5 pm Sunday.
About 300 Pacific Power workers helped restore electricity to about 22,300 customers in the Willamette Valley and the north coast on Sunday, the company said in a statement. Pacific Power reported that nearly 18,000 households were still without electricity and Portland General Electric had approximately 218,000 of its customers without power.
Pacific Power said that some of its customers in rural communities outside Salem may not have their power restored until Tuesday night.
Clackamas County officials reported that several roads were closed due to overturned utility lines or little power and trees. The state Department of Transportation closed Oregon 99 north from Canby to Milwaukie due to icy conditions, as well as Oregon 224 from the Oregon 224 junction near Sunnyside Road about three miles west of Eagle Creek.
The agency is also demanding that drivers load chains or equip their vehicles with traction tires on Interstate 84 across much of the Columbia River Gorge, from Troutdale to the west of Rowena’s exit. The Portland Bureau of Transportation likewise issued recommendations on the network for West Burnside Street between Southwest Barnes Road and Northwest 23rd Avenue, as well as Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road.
In all, the weather service reported a total accumulation of almost 7 inches in some parts of Portland.
Wilshire Park increased by 6 inches on Sunday morning. Mt. Tabor is 5.5 inches. Even lower elevations saw some of the white stuff – the Sellwood neighborhood saw about 5.4 inches, the weather service said.
The constant cold led to several closings on Monday.
The Oregon legislature postponed all deals originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, including a vote on the expulsion of Congressman Diego Hernandez from the House. Portland State University closed its campus during the day, although virtual classes continue as planned.
The US Post Office, as well as the federal, municipal and municipal government buildings, will be closed on Monday, although these closures are related to President’s Day. Portland State University also announced that its campus will be closed on Monday.
–Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook
Eder is the Oregonian’s educational reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland public schools? The e-mail [email protected].