The Portland Office of Transportation has just issued the following statement:

(Portland, OR) - The storm front that unexpectedly moved in directly over the city resulted in a lot of snow very quickly, including the valley floor as well as higher elevations. “While this storm proved unpredictable,” said Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams, “our crews are working around the clock to respond to it.” The City of Portland Transportation Maintenance Bureau is in full callout to respond to the event. A full callout entails two 12-hour shifts in a 24-hour operation, with approximately 160 employees on each shift and over 100 vehicles each shift. Vehicles include 55 plows and sanders, 4 anti-icing trucks, service trucks, backhoes, and other support vehicles.

Weather forecasters did not expect the amount of snow that fell so quickly on the city this morning. Working off a forecast that called for mostly dry and cold conditions with light snow at higher elevations today, the City prepared over the weekend. Crews applied anti-icing chemical on primary routes, known hazard areas, and the hills. When crews started this morning, the roads were clear. Snow began to appear in the hills at 5:10 AM, where City crews were already positioned with plows and sanders. When light snow began to fall on the valley floor after 6:00 AM and quickly turned to heavy snow, Transportation Maintenance shifted to a full callout.

Chains are currently required on West Burnside and Sam Jackson Road is closed. See below for current road closures. Crews are plowing, sanding, and de-icing roads throughout the city where those treatments are effective. The focus is on emergency response routes, transit routes, major arterials, bridges, and overpasses. The City’s limited resources mean that most residential streets do not receive service during snow and ice events, and snow removal on sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owner.

The forecast calls for snow ending but staying on the ground into Wednesday. The next 24 hours will be cold and icy, with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s tonight. Commissioner Adams advises the public not to drive on snow-packed, icy roads. “Tomorrow morning, stay home or take transit.”

Mayor Tom Potter issued a similar request this afternoon to City employees. Said Potter, “I am encouraging every City employee to ride mass transit in the morning. TriMet is now prepared for the weather and is a smart alternative.” In addition, to ensure the safety of City employees, he allowed non-essential employees to leave for home beginning at 3:00 PM today. City employees are expected to report to work at their usual time beginning Wednesday.

All Portlanders who must drive are advised to be sure their vehicle is properly equipped to drive in hazardous conditions. Stay on major arterials, and be especially careful on neighborhood streets. Drive slowly, steer slowly, brake gently, and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle directly in front of you - at least three car lengths. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills. For weather and traffic reports, stay tuned to local radio and television stations.

Current Road Closures (3:15 PM)

* N Graham between Kerby and Borthwick (closed at 10:31 AM)
* N Time Oil Road between Burgard and Rivergate (closed at 10:41 AM)
* SW St. Claire between Burnside and Yamhill (closed at 11:55 AM)
* SW Jefferson at 5th Avenue (closed at 12:35 PM)
* NW Miller Hill Road (closed 2:52 PM)
* SE 45th Avenue between Knapp and Harney (closed 3:30 PM)
* I-5 Corbett off-ramps (closed 3:30 PM)
* SW Gaines between Kelly and Hood (closed 3:30 PM)
* SW Sheridan between Barbur Blvd and 1st Avenue (closed 3:30 PM)
* Sam Jackson Road (closed except to emergency vehicles 3:30 PM)

Roads Re-Opened
* NW Balboa between Front and St. Helens (closed at 11:35 AM, re-opened at 1:30 PM)
* SW 35th Avenue at Pomona (closed at 11:59 AM, re-opened at 1:40 PM)

SNOW AND ICE PLAN BACKGROUND

The City has an annual Snow and Ice Plan. Its goals are to reduce life threatening and injury producing conditions and reduce interruption to commerce and damage to property. The City can call in crews and send out trucks at any time if necessary. The City anticipates sufficient crews to meet demands and monitor at-risk areas. Plows, sanders, and anti-icing equipment have been serviced, equipped, and inspected. Employees have been trained.

The City’s limited resources are focused on the highest priority transportation facilities - hazard areas like bridges and overpasses,
emergency response routes for Fire/Ambulance/Police, and arterial streets with a high daily traffic count. Every major snow event involves plowing 1,300 miles of street (which represents the distance traveled from Seattle to San Diego). Most residential streets do not receive service during snow and ice events, and snow removal on sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owner.

In the event of a major storm, the City prepares for a full callout of Transportation Maintenance crews and equipment. That entails two 12-hour shifts in a 24-hour operation, with 160 employees on each shift and over 100 vehicles each shift. Vehicles include 55 plows and sanders, 4 anti-icing trucks, service trucks, backhoes, and other support vehicles.

The City’s four anti-icing trucks, each with a capacity of 500-1,000 gallons, apply the chemical calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). A liquid derivative of salt, CMA is the most environmentally friendly effective treatment there is. Trucks apply 20 gallons of CMA per mile for pre-treatment to prevent ice from forming and snow from sticking. Trucks apply a heavier application of 30 gallons per mile for post-treatment to melt packed snow and ice that has formed.

The anti-icing trucks apply jets of the chemical on the street. It is not a curb to curb application. Drivers need to know that even streets that have been treated with this chemical may still be icy, especially near the curb. When temperatures fall below 17 degrees, the City adds potassium acetate, which increases the effectiveness of the de-icing chemical.

Snow and ice event operations are organized on the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) model. A contracted weather professional provides advance storm warning and technical support during the response operation.