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).