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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2017)
February 2017 Snow Blankets Community (Continued from Page 1) Dylan Rivera, spokesperson for the bureau. Winter weather travel advisories were issued with freezing rain and urged travelers to exercise extreme caution, avoid travel if possible. But many did not as evidence of abandoned cars on freeways, overpasses, and side streets. A water main line broke at 35th Avenue and Capitol Highway in Multnomah Village, causing major ice issues Jan. 14, as this reporter was gathering stories. “This snow event provides an opportunity for neighbors to examine their own plans and supplies, as well as checking on others,” said Bob Cogan, who heads up the local Neighborhood Emergency Team. On Jan. 16 the National Weather Service had issued a freezing rain advisory for the Portland metropolitan area but the ice never came at least on the westside. Schools were closed on Jan. 17 in anticipation of the freezing rain. “The big concern is black ice,” said Don Hamilton, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation. “Black ice is defined as ice that NEWS remains on roadways that are not subjected to direct sunlight. It commonly forms on roads that can be found in tunnels, on overpasses, and in highly shaded, rural areas.” Many were caught off guard with half tanks of gas. Hamilton said it’s always wise to carry an emergency weather kit including chains, battery jumper cables, first aid kit, shovel, basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife), blanket, extra clothing (hats, socks, boots, and mittens), and flashlight. Portland Public Schools were closed for several days causing bouts of cabin fever while parents needed to remain at home for childcare. “We understand and share your frustration with the number of school closures,” said Bob McKean, PPS interim superintendent. “The Board voted to add two days at the end of the school year to make up for (school) days lost in December,” McKean said. “An additional day was added due to more lost school days extending the last day of school to June 14.” The Portland school district may also eliminate the rest of late starts for elementary and middle schools and early releases for high schools, which will restore approximately ten The Southwest Portland Post • 3 hours of additional instruction for elementary schools and four hours for high schools. The district will be working with the Oregon Department of Education in coordination with other school districts across the state facing the same situation to evaluate how best to address this issue, including the potential for additional weather related closures throughout this winter. Neighbors helped each other shoveling walkways, running errands especially for the elderly. Meals Zach Snodgrass, chef at Journeys, shovels the sidewalk o n W h e e l s w a s along Capitol Highway in front of his business. looking for drivers (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) with traction tires to snow remained frozen outside. deliver hot meals to shut-ins. “We have a great neighborhood,” Shattuck, who is elderly, had no she beamed. “Everyone was checking problem walking to the local Safeway. on me and I wanted to just have She even held an evening cocktail people over.” party for a dozen neighbors as the SNOWSTORM: (Clockwise from upper left) Father and child share a sled down the hill at Dickinson Park (Photo by Ryan Baird Thompson). Oliver Deligio-Busha gets a sled ride by mom Cathy Busha (Photo by Anna Deligio). Sarah J. Instenes clears the sidewalk in front of her boutique in Multnomah Village (Photo by Carley King). Martin and Nancy McClain snowshoe their way to lunch at Marco’s Café (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand). View out the doorway of a Maplewood home with lamp post in the distance (Photo by Carol Vaughn). People walk along snowy 55th Avenue toward Dickinson Park (Photo by Ryan Baird Thompson).