Portland Weather: More Than 20,000 Without Power

The National Weather Service's Portland Office has a simple message for Friday - stay alive. Don't drive. The freezing rain played havoc on the streets, knocking out power and causing crashes.

The weather service said the temperature finally hit 33 degrees ay 10:36 Friday morning - after 22 hours at freezing or below.

By 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, there were still more than 20,000 PGE customers without power - mostly in Multnomah County. PGE received more than 160 reports of downed power lines.

Portland Fire reported that between midnight Friday and 7:30 p.m. Friday, they had responded to 378 calls - 65 of them were power related and 49 falls n ice.

The continued icy conditions in the morning, led several government offices and schools to announce late openings for Friday.

Portland Public Schools, Hillsboro, Centennial, Beaverton, David Douglas, and the Gresham-Barlow all announced they would be closed on Friday. The Lake Oswego, Oregon City, West Linn-Wilsonville are all opening two hours late.

The elementary schools in Lake Oswego, however, did close on Friday.

Many other schools did open but did so late including Central Catholic High School, City Christian School's Portland campus, French American International School, and St. Thomas More Catholic School

By 7:00 a.m. more than 50 flights had been canceled at Portland International Airport. People are urged to check the status of their flight before headed out.

All TriMet lines were delayed or disrupted at one point or another Friday morning. Streetcar service was also suspended because of ice on the lines.

The snow and icy conditions made the evening commute dangerous with reports of cars skidding off the road and crashes. TriMet moved buses to snow routes and officials asked people to stay off the roads if possible.

And icy conditions on the roads have led to numerous crashes throughout the region and led the weather service to urge people to stay off the roads.

The snow, which started a little later than originally forecast, gave much of the area a thin, white, icy gloss. For most of the region, it has been a day off. Most schools in the region canceled classes while many local government offices closed early.

The bad weather on Thursday didn't keep everyone inside. Portland's Unipiper got into the spirit of the season

Several counties have designated emergency shelters to help the homeless and others who may need help as the storm moves in. To find a shelter in your area, check this website.

e brief snow accumulations change to sleet and then freezing rain and roads become snow and ice covered and slick," according to forecasters.

Portland's Bureau of Transportation offers several tips for traveling in icy and snowy conditions:

The City of Portland’s Snow and Ice Plan discourages private vehicle use and encourages public transit use instead. But we understand some neighborhoods at high elevation may encounter snow or ice unexpectedly and everyone should be prepared for winter conditions. The Portland Bureau of Transportation offers these tips. See more at: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/47307

Chains - your link to safety!

Buy chains, practice putting them on your car, carry them in your vehicle, and use them. You may need them unexpectedly, especially at areas higher than 500 feet above sea level in Portland. PBOT sometimes requires chains or traction devices on West Burnside and SW Sam Jackson Parkway.

Carry an emergency weather kit

Have a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle to keep you safe and more comfortable during long waits. Your kit should include chains, shovel, bag of sand, battery jumper cables, first aid kit, basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife), blanket, extra clothing (hats, socks, boots, mittens), flashlight, and a cell phone or CB Radio.

Expect slippery sidewalks; clear your own as well

In a winter storm, the sidewalk in front of your neighbor’s house may be the slickest surface you encounter. PBOT applies anti-icer and uses snow plows to clear streets along bus routes, but property owners are responsible for ensuring safe passage on sidewalks.

Look out for people on bike or out walking

Be watchful for pedestrians and bicyclists who are also trying to get around in hazardous, low visibility conditions. Share the Road safely and responsibly.

Click here for an enlarged version of PBOT's Get Home Safe infographic.

Watch for black ice

Black ice can occur when roadways are not subjected to direct sunlight in freezing temperatures. It looks "black" because it is clear, not frosty. This makes it almost invisible to the naked eye. Black ice commonly forms on roads that wind around lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on overpasses and in highly shaded, rural areas. Be especially careful when driving or riding into shaded areas, on bridges and overpasses, and on infrequently traveled roads. Slow down during your approach.

You are responsible for your vehicle

There are snowmen to save, elves to meet, and even Santa-catching tips in this collection of best-selling Christmas books for kids.

If you choose to drive, stay with your vehicle in a snow and ice storm. Any abandoned vehicle is subject to being cited and impounded. To locate your vehicle, call Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044. If you are driving and visibility and conditions are getting worse rapidly, do not stop in a travel lane. Any vehicle creating a safety hazard is subject to towing. The current contractual cost of a tow is $168. The cost to store a towed vehicle past the initial four hours is $25 per day.

Look for an opportunity to pull off the road into a safe parking area and wait for conditions to improve. If you cannot reach your home, move your vehicle off a major street or plow route onto a side street so that plows can completely open up major streets. If you become stuck or stranded in severe weather, stay with your vehicle for warmth and safety until help arrives. While you wait for help to arrive, open a window slightly for ventilation, run your motor sparingly, and use your emergency flashers.

You may be towed on West Burnside and Sam Jackson Parkway

PBOT sets up chain-up areas in the shoulder heading uphill on West Burnside and SW Sam Jackson Parkway. They are set aside as a safe place for people to attach snow chains during a storm. Parking is not allowed in these areas and vehicles abandoned there are subject to towing.

Recover your vehicle as soon as possible

Parking regulations and other road safety regulations remain enforceable during a winter storm. If you leave your vehicle parked in a metered parking space or other time zone during a winter storm, recover your vehicle as soon as possible when conditions improve. If you receive a citation, follow the instructions on the back of it to resolve it or contest it with the County Circuit Court.

People abandoned their cars on West Burnside during a snow storm in 2014. Most of these vehicles were towed to provide a safe chain-up area for drivers heading into the hills on West Burnside. (Photo by Dylan Rivera, Portland Bureau of Transportation.)

Drive safely on wet and icy roads

Travel gently - drive, turn, and brake slowly. Adjust your speed to the road conditions and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

If you get stuck in snow, do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel, or de-icing granules in the path of the wheels to help get traction. Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other travelers. Keep your lights and windshield clean. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

Do not pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Biking in snow

Stay warm and dry. For more visibility, wear bright clothing, an orange vest, or use reflective tape. Use front and rear bicycle lights. Lights are required by law when riding after dark - a white light visible at least 500 feet to the front, and a red light or reflector visible at least 600 feet to the rear. Brake early and often. Avoid some painted and steel road surfaces. Steel plates, sewer covers, grates and other metal can be very slick in the rain and snow. Stay out of puddles and off of black ice.

Slow down, give yourself longer stopping distances, and keep a firmer grip on your handlebars.

Do not pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Remember, bicyclists have the right to take a full lane and/or use sidewalks which may be used if bike lanes are blocked by snow from snow plows.

Take transit

The City’s Snow and Ice Plan discourages private vehicle use and encourages mass transit use instead. In most Portland neighborhoods, residents are within four to six blocks of a transit stop or covered bus shelter. Some neighborhoods have great access to MAX light rail or the Portland Streetcar. To plan your commute by public transit, call 503-238-RIDE (7433) or visit www.TriMet.org for bus and MAX light rail schedules. In snow and ice, plan for bus delays of 20 to 30 minutes. Know where your transit stops are before venturing out.

Photo Colin Miner