PBOT urges people to avoid travel ahead of severe weather

With potential freezing rain and snow on the way, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is urging people to avoid traveling Thursday.

The bureau said in a statement that streets and sidewalks will likely be frozen and slick Thursday and Friday mornings as winter weather approaches.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the greater Portland/Vancouver metro area starting early Thursday morning.

Some areas could see up to an inch of snow and sleet with wind gusts as high as 45 miles per hour.

PBOT spokesperson Hannah Schafer said crews have already applied more than 2,000 gallons of liquid anti-icer on roads across the city.

Schafer urged people to stay home if possible.

“Freezing rain is extremely hazardous,” Schafer said. “It is a challenge sometimes even for our own extremely well-trained operators to drive their vehicles in freezing rain…. We want to strongly encourage Portlanders if they have the ability to avoid travel during freezing rain, we really encourage it for their safety, as well as the safety of others.”

Schafer recommends people who need to travel should consider taking public transportation.

“Our snow and ice routes also cover TriMet routes because we know that prioritizing public transit during winter weather is very important,” she said.

PBOT crews will continue to treat hazardous areas and clear emergency routes in the coming days. The bureau has a 24-hour maintenance hotline for people to report fallen trees and debris on roadways at 503-823-1700.

As of Wednesday afternoon, several school districts across the state were monitoring conditions and considering whether to issue delays or closures.

For up-to-date information on potential delays or closures, check out opb.org/cold.