Snow, ice slick roads close schools, trigger crashes

The first widespread snowfall of the season hit just as predicted, if not more so Thursday across the High Desert, dumping a half-foot or more in many areas, making roads slick and prompting many school closures and delays.

The treacherous roads apparently turned deadly Thursday afternoon, as Oregon State Police reported one person died in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 26 at milepost 25 in Crook County east of Prineville. (See separate story for details).

COCC and OSU-Cascades canceled late afternoon and night classes due to the threat of freezing rain, while Bend-La Pine Schools were letting middle and high schoolers out 10 minutes earlier and closing their facilities at 6 p.m.

COCC and OSU-Cascades held to normal schedule Thursday morning. But with a freezing rain threat later in the day, both schools announced that classes scheduled to start after 3 p.m. were canceled on the Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville campuses and throughout the college district. The college will close at 5 p.m., including all facilities such as the libraries, computer lab and gym.

Around the same time, this announcement was issued by Bend-La Pine Schools:

“With weather forecasts continuing to worsen and the chance for freezing rain increasing in the Bend, La Pine and Sunriver areas, Bend-La Pine Schools will close all facilities at 6 p.m. tonight.

“Additionally, all middle and high school students will be released 10 minutes early to give buses extra time to drive routes this afternoon. Elementary routes are expected to depart on schedule. Bus drivers will be slowing down and adjusting to conditions, which may cause drop-off to be a few minutes delayed this afternoon.”

By 6:30 a.m., Crook County, Jefferson County and Culver schools were closed for the day, while an hour later, Redmond shifted from a two-hour delay to closure as well. Sisters schools were on a two-hour delay, too — but decided as the snow kept falling to cancel classes shortly before 8 a.m.

Other closures included Cascades Academy, Powell Butte Community Charter School, Prineville Head Start and Central Christian School, while St. Thomas Academy was on a two-hour delay.

There’s no AM kindergarten in Redmond, while Redmond Head Start canceled AM or midday classes. The Redmond location of the Boys & Girls Clubs at 1379 SW 15th St. (behind Obsidian Middle School) is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., though the Terrebonne site is closed. Call 541-504-9060 for details.

At Redmond Airport, two arrivals and two departures have been canceled so far – track updates here: http://www.flyrdm.com/?Flight-Status

Then there were the other assorted closures reported to NewsChannel 21. The Prineville Senior Center also was closed Thursday. American Legion Ray Johnson Post 44 in Redmond is canceling bingo for Friday night and folks should call Sunday to see if they will have bingo.

Bend Parks and Rec canceled middle school basketball and youth volleyball programs, but KIDS Inc. after-school programs were being held. However, they said that program is canceled when schools are closed or delayed in opening. Program participants are notified of cancellations by e-mail or cell phone.

Redmond Area Parks and Rec: Cascade Swim Center, Activity Center closed this afternoon-evening, early-AM programming Friday also canceled

As the snow kept falling, the La Pine area reported four to five inches of snow and it was close to four inches in southwest Bend. Seven inches had piled up at Ochoco West in Prineville, according to resident Lynda Steele — and there was seven inches on Mt. Bachelor as well.

While few crashes were reported, a half-foot of snow prompted ODOT to close the old McKenzie Pass Highway Thursday morning. The twisting, seasonal highway has closed as early as Oct. 18 in 1996 and as late as Jan. 10, 1939.

Also closed for the season: the Cascade Lakes Highway west of Mt. Bachelor and Paulina Lake Road. In Bend, the road to the summit of Pilot Butte also was closed, possibly for the season, officials said.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton has extended its winter storm warning for Central Oregon through 10 p.m. Friday, warning that 7-10 inches could accumulate by then at higher elevations on the east slopes of the Cascades and in the Ochoco-John Day Highlands.

NewsChannel 21 Chief Meteorologist Bob Shaw said snow was still falling at 6:30 a.m. and about three inches had accumulated at the studio.With highs expected to make it to about freezing, there also could be some freezing rain, he said, warning travelers to exercise caution.

Temperatures again were cold Thursday morning, in the teens in most areas across Central Oregon, a bit warmer in a few spots (Warm Springs was at 22 degrees at 6 a.m.)

Earlier, NewsChannel 21 Meteorologist Travis Knudsen also said things could get even messier later Thursday, with a rain-snow mix and even freezing rain possible. The snow is expected to return Friday night and Saturday morning, bringing a few more inches of snow.

State, county and city road crews were preparing for what was to come, including putting down the anti-icing chemical that can keep snow and ice from bonding to the roads and make it easier to plow them.

Deschutes County and other road crews focus on steep hills and curves to try to make sure they can stay as safe as possible.

ODOT officials said they have added staff and were getting equipment ready for when the snow starts piling up.

And everyone wants to remind you to be prepared and be safe.

“When it’s icy or snowy, you need to keep more distance between you and the car in front of you,” said ODOT’s Rex Holloway. “The other thing I would say is know before you go. Check out weather forecast, check out road conditions.”

Motorists also are urged to keep a severe weather kit in their car, or put together their own, including essentials like food, water, blankets, a shovel and flashlight.

Even the Portland area was due to get a rare snowfall, while the Columbia Gorge could get walloped with a foot of snow, making travel treacherous.

“Typically what we see are folks who haven’t left early enough to allow extra time,” said Oregon State Police Sgt. Brad Hessel in McMinnville. “Consequently, they are driving too fast for conditions — and off the road they go.”

Hessel reminded all drivers to allow extra travel time during winter conditions and to remember that slippery conditions cause stopping distances to increase.

Everyday tips for safe driving from Oregon State Police and ODOT include:

* Adjust your driving for the conditions if there is ice of snow on the road.
* Be ready to handle potentially dangerous situations by thinking ahead.
* Look for signs indicating when chains or traction tires are required, and chain up early when you are required to do so.
*If you lose traction, slow down gradually – don’t slam on your brakes.
*Use extra caution when driving on bridges or concrete highways; ice forms first on these surfaces.
* Don’t use cruise control in wet, icy or snowy weather.

Here, friom Samantha O’Connor, are some cold weather hacks to save you time and headaches when the temperature gets this cold:

1) Put plastic baggies over your side-view mirrors to keep frost from getting on them.

2) Put socks over your windshield wipers to protect them from snow, ice, and freezing temperatures overnight.

3) Place an old rug over your windshield (with the sock-covered wipers on top to secure). This keeps snow off your windshield. In the morning, shake the snow off and put it in the trunk so if you ever get stuck you can use it for traction.

4) Before shoveling the driveway, rub vegetable oil, cooking spray, or paraffin wax on the shovel. This keeps the snow from sticking and your life a whole lot easier!

5) You can winterize your bike tires by putting zip ties on them. Stagger them around the tires and cut off the long pieces, this will help with traction.

6) Try to park facing the East so that the sun can help melt some snow and ice before you have to leave.