HISTORIC WINTER STORM PARALYZES PORTLAND

The 3 punch winter storm impacting Oregon and SW Washington this past week was one of the worst combined storms in our 23-year history. We have had more snow, and maybe thicker ice, but the combination of both with wind and the inability of the cold air to be scoured out was horrific. We support most of our maintenance customers and some were panicky and frustrated at times and we apologize. 

Our team started winter services with pre-treating last Thursday night, 1/11, and then cleared snow Saturday and Sunday, then cleared ice for the balance of the work week. The strong winds and record-low temperatures were a challenge keeping some equipment from starting and making challenging weather for our crews to work in. However, we felt pretty good about our efforts over the weekend getting those needing weekend service quickly served and then moving on to clearing for the balance to be prepared for the work week.  

THEN CAME THE ICE STORM

Freezing rain is much more difficult to clear as it glues to the frozen ground. We spread our pre-treat liquid on parking lots and granular deicer on sidewalks on Monday to hopefully help clear the ice after it fell. It is not uncommon to have freezing rain after a cold snap as the warm moist air of approaching Pacific storms over-rides the cold air at the surface coming out of the east. The east side of Portland always takes the longest to warm up due to the influence of the Columbia Gorge's outflow of cold air from the east. 

Unfortunately, cold air lingered, freezing rain clung, and temperatures continued below freezing throughout the week. Conditions got so bad, that the Governor of Oregon declared a state of emergency and many cities urged people to shelter in place as ice crippled roads and sidewalks. Throughout the week we had our crews working 12-15 hour shifts starting Tuesday morning through the remainder of the week. 

Road and sidewalk conditions were treacherous, and even with chains on we had several mishaps while trying to travel to sites. Despite mishaps and late freezes, our crews fought tirelessly, finally finishing Saturday. Exhausted but heroic, they tackled an epic storm.

STORM DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANT

Starting with strong winds and snow Thursday through Sunday causing trees and limbs to blow down then following with damage from the heavy ice on trees and shrubs, there is more landscape damage than we have seen in years. We have deployed our crews and Arborist subcontractors to clear the most significant down trees already. As we get back to work today, we will be assessing sites and informing clients of damage and clean-up needs. Some sites will clean up quickly while others with greater damage will take longer.   

IS WINTER OVER?

Well, the weather forecasters told us that due to El Nino the Northwest would have a warmer and drier than normal Winter. This was true in December but the storm this past week changed all that in Oregon. What is due for the balance of winter? If you trust the forecasts, the latest is for an above-average temperature for the end of January, all of February, and even through March. We hope this is true but have little faith in long-range weather forecasts.



If winter storms return to the valley, Team Orange is here for you!