The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police have reported at least 27 crashes and other hazards on area roads since the winter weather event began Thursday afternoon.
That’s compared to only one minor injury crash reported in the previous 24 hours.
Though the predictions of up to six inches of snow in Canby did not fully pan out (shocker, I know), most residents did awaken to a somewhat patchwork blanket of the white stuff.
The wintry mix of layered snow, ice and freezing rain, however, made for dangerous driving conditions, with one Canby resident comparing it to the “consistency of Italian ice.”
“Areas of south Clackamas County started off with black ice just before 9 p.m.,” the sheriff’s office warned on Twitter early Friday. “Those areas are now covered with snow.”
A section of Oatfield Road in the Milwaukie/Oak Grove area was closed due to icy conditions, as was eastbound Sunnybrook Boulevard from SE 97th to Sunnyside because of ice and a stuck semi.
Boeckman Creek Road in Wilsonville was also closed Friday morning between Canyon Creek and Sherman due to hazardous conditions.
The area remains under an ice storm warning through Saturday, and emergency officials warn residents to be prepared for power outages.
“Charge your phones, find your flashlights and grab extra blankets!” the Aurora Fire District tweeted Friday.
On the brighter (cuter?) side, law enforcement reported several people out enjoying the first real snow of 2021 — including a couple of brave souls who took advantage of the lack of traffic to snowboard on the roads.
A few people were out taking advantage of no traffic on the roads and enjoying the snow last night. #snowpatrol pic.twitter.com/KZ7YcAJNXN
— Clackamas Sheriff (@ClackCoSheriff) February 12, 2021
Below, a few of #YourShots of the evening’s big blow.
