Portland paralyzed once again
Another Arctic blast has Portland in its icy grip. At this hour, there is 0.0016 inches of treacherous slush on the ground. And the light rain that's falling is not only wet, but cold. It is currently 37 degrees Farenheit, which means that if the temperature falls another five degrees, things will freeze up, making travel even more life-threatening.
A frightening story from Southwest Portland: A couple is perched on the Vista Bridge, threatening to jump to their deaths if the schools are closed and their children stay home for one more day. Police negotiators and Schools Superintendent Carole Smith are on the scene trying to talk the pair down off the ledge to safety. Grim neighbors near the bridge report hearing Smith's voice through a bullhorn saying, "How about two hours late?" and the woman on the railing letting out a chilling scream.
Repeat: Slush on the ground. Cold rain. Do not leave your homes. Stay tuned to bojack.org Storm Center 9000 for further updates.
| Posted at 10:11 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
Arctic slushie 2009
Posted by Anthony | January 4, 2009 10:29 PM
I had no idea anyone saw us...
I swear to god, never never never again will my child be home every day for three weeks straight.
Never.
If schools are closed my child is going to visit the superintendant for the day, maybe play cards or scrabble...
Posted by ValkRaider | January 4, 2009 11:27 PM
What makes this worse is that I fell down today because of the Christmas storm from LAST YEAR. There is still one huge pile of snow in the Fred Meyer's parking lot over 8 feet tall. It has got to be some of the last snow from the original Arctic Blast 2008 and because of the thawing and refreezing there was a thin sheet of clear ice extending out from the base. I hurried over to the store at halftime of the Miami game and coming out on the otherwise dry parking lot, I slipped and took a dramatic fall to the ground. I had no idea ice would be there since everything else for blocks around was completely clear. I hit the ground pretty hard and a bystander checked on me, but I walked it off and returned home, unharmed but somber. I had learned that a winter storm in Portland isn't really over 'til the last snowflake melts.
So while you are all dealing with new weather emergencies, I am still wrestling with Arctic Blast 2008.
I expect to fall down from tonight's snow sometime in early February.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 5, 2009 12:01 AM
On a more serious note, the cold weather can still make things tricky. The wife and I went into a shop for coffee and while moving from the parking lot to the shop I stepped up on a bumper curb which looked fine. It didn't look wet, didn't look like anything but concrete. As I pushed off of it as one does with a normal step I damn near fell on my rear. The curb was solid ice. So it's deceptive, hopefully the rains this week will finally wash it all away.
Posted by native oregonian | January 5, 2009 6:42 AM
Trying to get over the West Hills via SW Sam Jackson Park Road/Marquam Hill about 6:30 last night, I was forced to turn around and go back toward downtown and use 26.
By the time I reached my neighborhood, I had serious trouble navigating my street. I must be one of those drivers for whom it's wisest to leave the car be when the snow begins.
Posted by none | January 5, 2009 8:41 AM
Bill: I'm curious. How many attorneys have called so far this morning?
Posted by Roger | January 5, 2009 9:34 AM
I hit so hard, Fred's could sue me for damaging their parking lot.
I did the guy thing and laughed it off, even telling myself during extra hard hits in the Eagles-Vikings game, that I knew what that was like. Of course my wife said, "Wait until tomorrow morning before you start thinking you got away with it." Sure enough something in my lower back is torn up and I'm not laughing it off anymore. The worst part? I might not be ready for the Giants game this weekend.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 5, 2009 10:31 AM
A limerick in memory of the arctic blast:
Out West there's a city called "Rose"
That grinds to a halt when it snows.
There's money for trams
and other such scams,
But snow plows? "We've no need of those."
And one for school closures:
In Portland when snowflakes appear,
Schools panic and close down in fear.
But where are they all?
They went to the mall!
Amazing, the roads were so clear!
Posted by Jerry Shipp | January 8, 2009 10:20 PM