Slick roads and slow business: Inches of snow hit lower elevations across Central Oregon
(Update: Adding video, comments from resident and business owner)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The first significant snowfall this winter arrived early Thursday across the lower elevations of Central Oregon, bringing two or more inches in some areas and making for slick roadways and crashes.
National Weather Service spotters reported 1-2 inches of snow around the Bend area Thursday morning, as well as Madras, Prineville, and Redmond. Foresters said up to three inches were possible.
For small businesses, it's the beginning of a difficult season.
"It really affects small businesses. Around Bend, I hear from other local owners that it's a challenge when it snows," said Keri Travis, owner of Wild Child in Bend's Old Mill District.
She says the snow causes a dramatic drop in sales, sometimes going days without a customer.
"It's better than usual today," Travis said. "I've talked to a couple of other owners, and it is usually like a standstill. I mean, we wonder if we'll make any sales. I've had snow days where I made zero sales."
Travis points to road safety as a factor for fewer customers.
The first snow of the season also brings some familiar headaches as Central Oregon drivers brave the roads at varying levels of experience. Some crashes were reported, but there was no word regarding any injuries.
A Bend Parkway driver told NewsChannel 21 she and at least seven other southbound vehicles hit a curb in the roadway that apparently was hidden by snow around 6:30 a.m., causing significant damage but no reported injuries. We spoke with Kacey Davey, public information officer for ODOT who confirmed it was most likely a curb.
The woman reported the collision blew out her right front tire and damaged a back tire, leaving the vehicle in need of an alignment.
"We’ve had about a dozen non-injury crashes, about 30 hazard calls (stuck vehicles, jackknifed trailers, etc.)," Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller told NewsChannel 21.
Miller also offered a familiar reminder to "slow down, give everyone around you a lot of space, and to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter – proper tires, fluids topped off, windshield wipers working. Mostly … SLOW DOWN."
NewsChannel 21 Meteorologist Shannon Brady said in Thursday's Sunrise forecast that this week's third low-pressure system is approaching for Friday, bringing more mountain snow and some in areas like Sunriver and La Pine.
The Old Mill still looked busy Thursday, despite the slick roads. One resident who recently moved to Bend was spending his day making the most out of the snow.
"We're planning just to get out and play a little bit," said David Dolphin, who is experiencing his first Bend winter. "We're going to take a nice river hike, and, hopefully it doesn't get too crazy out there. But as it stands, this looks like a perfect day for a great hike."
