PORTLAND, Ore. (DDN) – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said that dozens of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and semi-trucks, were engaged in crashes on Oregon’s Interstate 84 early Thursday afternoon.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office first believed that at least 100 automobiles had crashed, however, Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy later told Nexstar’s KOIN that 30 to 40 vehicles were involved in many minor incidents in close proximity to one another.
“Road conditions on I-84 in the affected areas are considered slick, but passable,” the agency stated. “This series of crashes was caused by a combination of high winds blowing snow and drivers traveling too fast for the winter weather conditions in the area.”
According to Kennedy, the Sheriff’s Office initially reported 100 because of “what some may have seen when they first arrived. Not total whiteout, but tough conditions, such as being unable to see very far, may have contributed to these first findings.”
Vehicles from various crashes stopped the westbound lanes for three miles between mileposts 28 and 29. During one of the crashes, an SUV caught fire, but everyone managed to escape.
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“Responders are going car by car,” deputies said. “There are reports of injuries; no number at this time. Whiteout conditions.”
The Oregon Department of Transportation reported that I-84 westbound was closed from Hood River at Milepost 64 to four miles west of Multnomah Falls at Milepost 27.
The first phone reporting an accident came in shortly before 11 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a snowstorm warning for Portland and the surrounding areas until 10 a.m. PDT on Friday.
The storm could dump 1-3 inches of snow and sleet, with ice accumulations of a tenth of an inch. The wind is forecast to gust up to 35 mph.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” according to the NWS warning. “If you must travel, be sure to slow down and allow extra time.”
Reference: Dozens of vehicles involved in Oregon highway crash amid ‘whiteout’ conditions
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