O
ODOT: Expect treacherous driving conditions through the weekend
Oregon Department of Transportation officials advise motorists to avoid travel over mountain passes for the next 72 hours while a series of winter storms is expected to pummel the state.
In addition to heavy snow in the mountains, Central Oregon and Eastern Oregon, the western portion of the state is expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next four days. This may cause minor flooding in lower areas and mud and rock slides between the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast.
Highways are closed throughout the state due to heavy snow and gusting wind, with more closures anticipated. Because winter weather has been so widespread over the past month, ODOT is starting to encounter some equipment breakdowns.
"Because of the current storm and another significant system moving in, we expect the situation to remain critical for several days," said ODOT Deputy Director Doug Tindall. "ODOT will not be able to provide much service at Sno-Parks and secondary highways as we work to address ongoing issues on the Interstates and main state highways."
During the extreme weather, ODOT asks motorists to avoid travel. If motorists must use the highways, please be aware of the following:
** Over-sized vehicles such as motor homes, pickups with campers, delivery box vans and chip trucks should not be driven in high wind conditions. High winds have tipped over semis, torn campers off pickups and forced delivery vans outside of travel lanes.
** Secure or remove all loose items (cargo) in the back of pickups. Items such as boxes or ladders that usually stay in the pickup bed can be blown onto the road or into the windshield of another vehicle.
** High winds and heavy snow will cause trees to fall onto the highway and, at times, on vehicles. If you must drive, use extreme caution and be prepared to stop at a moment's notice.
** Standing, high water on the highway can cause vehicles to lose traction and slide off the highway or into another vehicle. Driving through high water that's moving quickly can cause your vehicle to float. Use extreme caution while driving during periods of heavy rainfall and don't drive through fast-moving water.
Oregon Department of Transportation officials advise motorists to avoid travel over mountain passes for the next 72 hours while a series of winter storms is expected to pummel the state.
In addition to heavy snow in the mountains, Central Oregon and Eastern Oregon, the western portion of the state is expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next four days. This may cause minor flooding in lower areas and mud and rock slides between the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast.
Highways are closed throughout the state due to heavy snow and gusting wind, with more closures anticipated. Because winter weather has been so widespread over the past month, ODOT is starting to encounter some equipment breakdowns.
"Because of the current storm and another significant system moving in, we expect the situation to remain critical for several days," said ODOT Deputy Director Doug Tindall. "ODOT will not be able to provide much service at Sno-Parks and secondary highways as we work to address ongoing issues on the Interstates and main state highways."
During the extreme weather, ODOT asks motorists to avoid travel. If motorists must use the highways, please be aware of the following:
** Over-sized vehicles such as motor homes, pickups with campers, delivery box vans and chip trucks should not be driven in high wind conditions. High winds have tipped over semis, torn campers off pickups and forced delivery vans outside of travel lanes.
** Secure or remove all loose items (cargo) in the back of pickups. Items such as boxes or ladders that usually stay in the pickup bed can be blown onto the road or into the windshield of another vehicle.
** High winds and heavy snow will cause trees to fall onto the highway and, at times, on vehicles. If you must drive, use extreme caution and be prepared to stop at a moment's notice.
** Standing, high water on the highway can cause vehicles to lose traction and slide off the highway or into another vehicle. Driving through high water that's moving quickly can cause your vehicle to float. Use extreme caution while driving during periods of heavy rainfall and don't drive through fast-moving water.
have been talkin to rambob, he lives in tokatee, says things there are reaching critical mass! road conditions in the area go from bad to worse. that is of course why we are headed that way this morning! will be leaving the big trailers home and taking little ones, hoping for more pow like last weekend...
