Roads Reopened in Northwest as Winter Storm Kori Takes Aim at California, Arizona

Sean Breslin and Ada Carr
Published: January 20,2017
Roads in the Pacific Northwest were finally cleared of snow and ice left behind by Winter Storm Kori, but in other states, the wintry menace was just getting started.
California's higher elevations reported heavy snow on Friday, while the storm's warm side was expected to bring lots of rain to other parts of the state. Flooding was a concern in some of the areas expected to be hit hardest by the rainfall.
(MORE: Where Kori Is Expected to Go Next | Northeast Impacts?)
In Arizona, where feet of snow could fall in the higher elevations, officials warned drivers to be prepared for dangerous conditions, and some schools were closed.

California

Residents in the mountainous areas of the state saw snarled commutes, downed trees and heavy snow.
Kori's warm side caused problems in Southern California. As many as 30 people were trapped by floodwaters that washed away cabins and vehicles at a campground near Santa Barbara.
Four students were rushed to the hospital with minor injuries in Chula Vista after they were hit by a falling tree at Chula Vista Middle School, KGTV reported. The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. local time Friday afternoon.
Rain and strong winds were also an issue in Northern California. The Bay Area reported rare thunder and lightning Friday morning, according to SFGate.com.
"Storms like that are not extremely common but it does happen," NWS meteorologist Steve Anderson told SFGate.com. "It's not unheard of."
Three historic trees were destroyed Wednesday night after a windstorm with gusts up to 50 mph blew through Sacramento. The trees were planted at the California Capitol about 120 years ago to honor Civil War veterans.
Strong winds downed several redwood trees in Muir Woods National Park Wednesday, prompting authorities to close the park for the safety of staff and visitors. On the Central Coast, big surf was a concern, as forecasters warned waves could grow to 30 feet, the Associated Press reported.

Arizona

Northeast of Phoenix, the National Forest Service closed all roads that lead to the Four Peaks and Mount Ord recreation areas in the Tonto National Forest, according to the AP. The closure was blamed on snow and bad conditions, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
Although Interstates 17 and 40 were still in good shape Friday, officials told drivers to expect hazardous conditions in northern Arizona Friday night into Saturday, the AP reported. Overnight Friday, officers responded to 17 slide-offs due to the wintry conditions, the Arizona Department of Public Safety told the AP.
Public schools were closed in Flagstaff and Navajo County's Blue Ridge Unified School District in eastern Arizona, the AP added. At least 8 inches of snow had already been reported in Flagstaff by mid-morning Friday.
(MORE: Next Storm System Already on Its Way)
Grand Canyon National Park has shut down some roads on the South Rim due to snow and unsafe driving conditions. Park officials said Desert View is closed between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View, and West Rim Drive is closed between the village and Hermits Rest.
The Sixth-Annual Balloon Classic was canceled in Phoenix due to a winter storm warning from the NWS. Officials with the event announced Thursday that it has been rescheduled to early March due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Colorado

As snowfall began in eastern Colorado, most roadways remained in good shape on Friday, according to the Gazette. In Colorado Springs, major roads were treated ahead of the storm, and local officials didn't anticipate any big travel problems, the report added.

Idaho

Several school districts were closed Friday as Kori's impacts lingered, according to the Idaho Statesman. Buildings collapsed under the weight of snow and ice, KTVB.com reported, and roads were slushy and dangerous, especially in the Treasure Valley.
(PHOTOS: Winter Storm Kori, in Pictures)
"Obviously this is a constant battle we are fighting all winter," Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman Jennifer Gonzalez told KTVB.com. "So that means all of our crews from McCall to Owyhee County, it is all hands on deck over here."

Oregon

After being closed for several days, officials reopened a stretch of Interstate 84 from Troutdale to Hood River early Friday morning, according to KGW.com. Truck drivers were trapped for upwards of 48 hours while they waited for the ice-covered road to be cleared for travel again.
Managers at roadside eateries complained to KGW that their business suffered as a result of the road closure.
"I think drivers are a little frustrated that the roads aren't open, so they are hiding in their trucks, kind of like what I did," truck driver Bryan Ratterree told KGW. "This morning was the first time I’d been out of my truck since Tuesday afternoon."
(MORE: Most of U.S. Has Passed Coldest Time of Year)
Meanwhile, in southeastern Oregon, the AP said about 200 volunteers worked to clear more than 3 feet of snow off roofs of the elderly and disabled, and some residents say they haven't seen this much snow in such a short period in decades. Lt. Rob Hunsucker, emergency manager with the Malheur County Sheriff's Department, told the AP that roof collapses have been reported with about 100 structures, none of which are homes.

Washington

Transportation officials reopened Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass Thursday night, according to the AP. The state's main route across the Cascade Mountains, I-90 had been closed since Tuesday because of the storm's icy side, the report added.
Crews cleared 20 to 30 trees, as well as tons of debris, rocks and snow that fell onto the roadway while it was closed, the AP also said.
(MORE: Spring 2017 Temperature Outlook)
Highway 243, roughly seven miles south of I-90, was shut down after several semi trucks were jackknifed on icy roads, KOMO-TV reported. Highway 109 was closed in both directions near Moclips due to falling trees and Highway 14 was closed between Washougal and White Salmon due to continuous snow slides.
Flooding also caused issues in parts of the Evergreen State. At least one home was flooded in Des Moines after nearby drains were unable to keep up with an overnight downpour, KOMO also reports.