Winter storms in Oregon

During the past two weeks, areas around the Mid-Atlantic, South, Central, Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Desert Southwest have experienced severe winter storms. Following these areas, next in line is the Pacific Northwest parts, i.e., Oregon, the city famous for its fantastic winter season.

Despite already experiencing the repercussions of winter storms, weather reports show that a hefty amount of snow and ice are about to hit the state of Oregon again. Here we take a closer look at how past storms are affecting the state and what residents should expect:

Severe Storms Cause Power Outage

The cold weather and devastating winter storms led to a power outage in more than 61,000 customers’ homes.

Slamming the country during the President’s Day weekend, the series of powerful ice storms incurred vast amounts of damage to properties across the state. From power outages to broken roofs, the disastrous conditions in the city cause millions worth of damage.

For safety, Clackamas County leaders are working hard to provide support from the National Guard. In fact, in a statement last Friday, County Chairperson- Tootie Smith said he had asked for support from the Guard members to help out every house and run wellness checks to ensure safety.

More Storms in the Near Future

Seattle and Portland are currently under bitter-cold winter storm warnings alongside heavy snowfall and freezing downpours. At the same time, weather reporters are issuing a warning for ice storms in western Oregon. It’s likely the area is soon about to drown in three-quarters of an inch of ice.

Moreover, another weather report shows that another round of heavy and devastating mountain snow is heading towards Northeast Oregon. Chances are, the area will accumulate up to 7 to 16 inches of snow while experiencing severe wind gusts as high as 45mph.

As a result of this, residents may find it challenging to travel, especially during the morning and evening. Moreover, the strong winds may result in tree branches breaking and causing property damage.

How to Protect Yourself?

While it’s best, you stay safe inside your home during this dangerous weather. There are ways you can ensure safety while on-road as well. Here’s a couple of ways you can safeguard yourself and your family during this severe winter:

• Keep basic supplies such as food, water, first aid kit and flashlight in your vehicle to overcome unforeseen circumstances.
• Stay indoors to avoid prolonged exposure to cold.
• Be sure to walk and drive carefully since slippery conditions can easily lead to severe injuries and accidents.
• Before going on the road, let others know your destination, route, and expected travel time.
• In case you start losing feeling or color in your feet, hands, ears, nose, cover the area.
• When shoveling snow accumulating in front of your house, take frequent breaks and lift fewer loads.

The Takeaway

The winter season in Oregon is a beautiful yet disastrous time. While the blanket of snow looks gorgeous, high winds and harsh storms cause branches to break, crack roofs, blackouts, and so on. For this reason, Clackamas County is currently working on establishing centers that distribute food and water across the area. With the help of the National Guard members, leaders are optimistic they can successfully deliver necessary goods to those in need.