Snow shuts roads across NW, including Hwy. 20 at Santiam Pass, Hwy. 26 at Mt. Hood; I-84 in Gorge reopens
Interstate 84 reopened in E. Oregon; not in the Gorge
(Update: I-84 reopens after 19-hour closure)
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — Heavy snow and high winds forced officials to close dozens of state roads in Central and Eastern Oregon on Monday, including a late-afternoon closure of Highway 20 from the Sisters area to Santiam Pass. Earlier, Interstate 84 was shut down through the Columbia River Gorge and U.S. Highway 26 near Mount Hood, while blowing snow also closed a major road over the Cascade Mountains in Washington.
Word came late Monday night that I-84 had reopened -- here's the announcement:
I-84 is now open in both directions from Troutdale to The Dalles (milepost 17 to 82) following a 19-hour closure. U.S. 26 remains closed 2 miles east of Welches to the Wasco-Jefferson County line near Warm Springs (milepost 42.5 to 96) due to multiple crashes and spun-out vehicles.
Winter weather conditions continue. Avoid travel if possible and take alternate routes on main roads. Be prepared for quickly changing situations, delays and additional closures. Check conditions via the cameras and weather stations on TripCheck.com.
ODOT confirmed earlier that Highway 20 was closed late Monday afternoon just west of Santiam Pass summit between mileposts 78 and 91. There have been multiple spun-out vehicles and a snow slide, the agency said. The road is also closed at milepost 59 west of Tombstone Sno-Park by a crash.
"Extreme winter weather conditions continue," ODOT said. "Avoid travel if possible and take alternate routes on main roads. Be prepared for quickly changing situations, delays and additional closures. Check conditions via the cameras and weather stations on TripCheck.com."
Oregon State Police said westbound motorists were being turned around at the Camp Sherman turnoff, and sent back to Sisters. ODOT TripCheck said a closure was in place three miles west of the pass.
Umatilla County, in northeastern Oregon, saw wind gusts of 60 mph snowdrifts along roadways that were several feet tall and whiteout conditions that prevented the Oregon Department of Transportation from operating its snowplows, the agency said.
People who ignore road closures could become stranded for several days and there were reports of multiple weather-related crashes and stranded vehicles, ODOT said.
About eight inches of snow fell in the Columbia River Gorge between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service said. As a result, I-84 was closed between Troutdale and Highway 64 near Hood River because of whiteout conditions and multiple crashes.
In Washington, Snoqualmie Pass over the Cascades was closed Monday due to blowing snow, zero visibility and avalanche concerns.
In Portland, the precipitation fell as heavy rain that caused flooding that closed some city intersections.
Officials also warned people to stay away from areas recently burned by wildfires because the heavy rain could cause mudslides.
Interstate 84 in Eastern Oregon reopened by mid-afternoon -- though not east of Portland, between Troutdale and The Dalles.
Here's ODOT's mid-afternoon update:
I-84 eastbound and westbound lanes are now open in eastern Oregon, however, many other routes remain closed. Check TripCheck.com before making travel plans. ODOT crews continue to remove snow on closed routes so they can be open as soon as possible, however continuing snow and wind is hampering the clean-up process. Progress is being make on OR11 and other highways sections, but it is unknown at this time when the closed highways will be safe for travel. ODOT and county crews are currently working to get stranded motorists along the closed section of OR350 (Imnaha Highway) in Wallowa County back to a safe location. Do not attempt to drive on closed highways. When you do this and become stranded, you put others at risk. Also, avoid blindly following GPS navigation devices that can lead you onto remote, unmaintained roads. Conditions may get worse this afternoon/evening. Please stay home and stay safe. Continue to monitor highway/weather conditions at TripCheck.com, or call 511 / 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.
ODOT issued this advisory at 1 p.m.:
ODOT: PDX, Mt. Hood: U.S. 26 is now closed at milepost 44, near Rhododendron, to OR 35. Conditions remain hazardous with high winds, blowing snow and poor visibility. Winter conditions have also forced the closure of OR 35 from U.S. 26 north to the Hood River County line. Dangerous winter driving conditions can be found in many areas around Mount Hood and in the Columbia River Gorge with Interstate 84 closed from Troutdale to The Dalles. Travelers should stay off the roads if possible and use extreme caution if they have to travel. Go to TripCheck.com to see road cameras and for the latest road conditions.
Southern Oregon High Cascade highways also have had issues, as ODOT reported Monday night:
Winter closures for public safety: Several High Cascade highways are closed for the night due to heavy snow, downed trees and slides.
The closures are:
* Oregon 138E from Glide to the U.S. 97 intersection (MP 16-100)
* Oregon 62 from Prospect north to the intersection with Oregon 230 (MP 46-65)
* All of Oregon 230 (MP 0-24)
Be prepared for severe winter driving if you must travel tonight. Will reassess in the morning
Mid-morning update from ODOT:
Interstate 84 remains closed in both directions from milepost 17 at Troutdale and has been extended to milepost 82 near The Dalles due to extreme winter weather conditions. Expect a lengthy closure. Crews will continue to assess highway conditions throughout the storm and open when it is safe to do so.
Conditions on Mount Hood also remain dangerous with blowing snow and poor visibility on U.S. 26 and OR 35, particularly at the higher elevations. The roads over Mount Hood present a slow and risky alternative to the closure of I-84.
Earlier, ODOT advised:
URGENT: Motorists are driving around road closures and becoming stranded on snow-covered routes. Several highways are closed and ODOT crews are not able to perform winter maintenance operations due to high winds, snowdrifts, blowing snow and limited visibility. If you drive today in eastern Oregon, plan for long delays. Pack extra food, water and blankets. Don't expect emergency response crews to rescue you if you drive on closed roadways. Stay home, stay safe and don't put others at risk.
I-84 eastbound and westbound lanes remain closed to all traffic between Exit 216 (6 miles east of Pendleton) and Baker City Exit 302. The westbound freeway is also closed to trucks and through traffic in Ontario at Exit 374. Numerous other routes are also closed, including OR245, OR204, OR11, OR74, OR331, OR332, OR334, OR335, OR350, OR351, OR339 plus other highways.
Many city and county routes are also closed. ODOT is advising all motorists in the Umatilla County area to stay home, as most state routes in that area are closed due to high winds, whiteout conditions and numerous snowdrifts across roadways.
Conditions are so extreme that snowplow drivers cannot see the road well enough to effectively plow snow. Plowing operations are postponed on many closed state routes in Umatilla County and other areas. The closures could remained in place for several days on lower priority routes, as a new snowstorm is expected today, along with more high wind conditions.
ODOT crews are monitoring conditions and will resume winter maintenance operations and open closed routes when it is safe to do so.
DO NOT DRIVE ON CLOSED ROADWAYS OR THROUGH SNOW DRIFTS, AS YOU COULD BECOME STUCK AND STRANDED WITH LITTLE CHANCE OF RESCUE UNTIL CONDITIONS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED, POSSIBLY DAYS.
Don't put emergency responders and others in danger by driving in severe weather. Conditions are expected to get worse today with new weather system moving in. Stay home and stay safe. For highway/weather conditions check TripCheck.com or call 511 / 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.
