Freezing rain hits the Gorge; semi jackknifes near Cascade Locks

PORTLAND, Ore. - There was freezing rain throughout the Columbia River Gorge Friday night but according to the National Weather Service its westward march toward the metro area stalled.

Late Friday afternoon NWS issued a freezing rain advisory for the greater Portland and Vancouver metro areas until midnight, but it appeared the cold air was unlikely to filter into the east side of the metro area.

The advisory focused on areas east of Interstate 205 and close to the Columbia River Gorge. Those areas included Gresham, Troutdale, Camas, Wash., and Washougal, Wash.

An ice storm warning was issued for the western part of the Gorge until 4 a.m. Saturday, and ODOT reported that a jackknifed semitrailer closed the eastbound lanes seven miles east of Cascade Locks around 7:30 p.m.

KATU Meteorologist Dave Salesky said cold and wet air moved from Hood River through the Gorge.

There was freezing rain in Corbett, and the residents there said they've dealt with this kind of thing before and know how to get prepared.

At the Corbett Country Market, Trudy Pohl knew it was going to be a busy night.

"As I was driving up the hill, the ice started falling onto the car and stuff – it was coming off the trees," she said. "So that was my first clue that there was ice."

More wet and windy weather is on the way for the region. The Willamette River in Salem has crested and is expected to be below flood stage by Saturday afternoon, Salesky said.

ODOT requires travelers to carry chains on all mountain passes and on most of Interstate 84. It warns drivers to be prepared for trees and debris in the road as well as mudflows and landslides.

KATU reporter Meghan Kalkstein contributed to this report.

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