From the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office:
We didn’t think we needed to suggest that you stay off the roads — as it has been all over the news and social media. However, with conditions worsening, and people still deciding it’s a good idea to drive around, we suppose it’s time to say something.
Please just stay home!
The roads are treacherous and it’s not getting better any time soon. High winds and freezing rains can wreak havoc on roads, and weigh down power lines and trees – with several reported downed already. The Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office has five Deputies patrolling Tillamook County today, and the going as been challenging at best. We asked them for comments regarding what they are seeing out there.
Corporal Chris Barnett : “As the power lines are getting covered with ice, we are going to see more power outages. It’s a mess out here.”
Deputy Dennis Greiner: “It’s nasty out there, just stay off the roads, please.”
Deputy Chase Ross: “If you don’t absolutely have to go somewhere, please just stay home”
Deputy Billy Cloud: “It’s currently 25 degrees, and super windy. County Public Works are out spreading gravel but It’s still solid ice underneath that gravel. We don’t usually have freezing rain with winds like this – It was difficult to even get back into my vehicle after assisting someone on Wilson River Loop.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Scott Griffith was braving the summit of Highway 6 and was thankful that traffic has been somewhat light — so it appeared that people were at least staying off that road for the most part.
“We’ve been lucky up here, but I know that on the 101 bridge in Nehalem, they’re having a heck of a time with cars sliding around,” said Deputy Griffith. “Earlier, me and Billy were unable to get into our office at the Search and Rescue building due to the wind and rain making that entire side of the building one sheet of ice.”
Please help keep yourself, your neighbors, your family and your first responders safe by staying off the roads. Prepare for power outages and check on those neighbors that might need a little assistance. Avoid using open flame sources for heat indoors, due to fire danger and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. And only run generators in well ventilated areas outdoors.
This storm will pass, let’s have that happen without having any avoidable tragedies. Be safe out there.
