Winter Storm Iras Wreaks Havoc on Roads As It Makes Icy Trek Across West

Eric Chaney and Pam Wright
Published: January 9,2017

 

Winter Storm Iras brought a wintry mess to much of the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, dumping more than a foot of snow in some locations and killing two.

 

In California, 25 inches was reported in Mammoth Lakes, while in Colorado, an estimated 18.2 inches fell in the higher terrain near Steamboat Springs. In Idaho, 12 inches fell in Haily, while Montana saw 6.5 inches.

 

Further west, an estimated 20 inches fell on Paulina, Oregon. Cle Elum, Washington, recorded 14 inches, while Nevada saw 5 inches near Incline Village.

 

(MORE: Check the Forecast for Winter Storm Iras)

 

The winter storm is being blamed for a number of crashes, and the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 from Ontario to La Grande in Oregon were closed Monday, according to the Associated Press.

 

A woman in Portland died from exposure, the AP also reported, and a man was killed in a wreck on I-90 in Washington, where numerous wrecks were reported over the weekend.

Colorado

In southwestern Colorado, where about two feet of snow fell in 24 hours, strong winds and heavy snow forced Crested Butte Mountain Resort to close early on Monday, the AP reported.
Meanwhile, in Eagle County, a collision along Interstate 70 spilled about 2,100 gallons of diesel fuel onto the icy roadway early Monday morning, the AP also said. Nobody was injured, but the interstate was closed for about nine hours, the report added.
(MORE: Strong Winds Damage Structures, Overturn Trucks in Colorado Springs)

Wyoming

Numerous avalanches and treacherous travel conditions were reported Monday in the Jackson Hole area, according to the AP.

Heavy snow prompted the Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort to announce a delay in opening ski runs Monday morning. Teton County School District canceled classes Monday, the Jackson Hole News and Guide reported.
An avalanche buried a road in 15 feet of snow, according to Wyoming Department of Transportation spokeswoman Stephanie Harsha.
"If you can stay home, do," Harsha told the News and Guide. "It’s one of those storms."

Montana

The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center has issued a backcountry avalanche warning for the mountains around Cooke City, according to the AP.
The storm prompted the cancellation of at least eight schools in western Montana Monday.
Driving conditions are considered dangerous for Interstate 90 from the Idaho border to St. Regis and from Alberton to Missoula; on Montana 200 from Missoula to Potomac and on U.S. Highway 93 from Missoula south to Stevensville, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.

Washington

Driving became treacherous in Washington on Saturday as Iras made roads slick. A 60-mile section of eastbound Interstate 90 had to be shut down due to numerous crashes and spinouts, one of which resulted in a fatality.

An AA towing truck removes a jack-knifed FedEx tractor trailer rig from the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near the South Jefferson Exit Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, north of Albany, Oregon.
(Mark Ylen/Albany Democrat-Herald via AP)

An 11-year-old boy who wasn't wearing a seatbelt sustained serious injuries when the vehicle in which he was riding rolled over and he was ejected. Another person was critically wounded in a separate crash.
The Department of Transportation shut down the roadway's eastbound lanes from North Bend to about 10 miles east of Cle Elum.

Oregon

A cold rain brought much of the Portland area to a standstill Monday morning, turning icy roads into slippery slush.
The storm prompted the closure of numerous school districts and colleges in western Oregon, including Oregon's largest school district, Portland. Oregon State University and the University of Oregon followed suit.
Other school districts, including Pendleton, La Grande and Jefferson County are closed, while several others opened on a delay.
A woman in her 50s died of exposure due to cold temperatures in Portland, KGW.com reported. Officials said 52-year-old Karen Lee Batts was found dead in a parking garage, according to the AP.
Portland Police were alerted Saturday afternoon the woman who was removing her clothing and appeared to be struggling in the cold weather, Sgt. Pete Simpson told KGW.com. By the time officers and paramedics arrived, the woman had died.
Snow and sleet made for treacherous roads around the state Saturday, and state police told the AP that they couldn't keep up with all the crashes.