PHOTO COURTEY OF OSP
Overnight rain and freezing temperatures are causing havoc on the roads and highways throughout the Lower Columbia Basin.
School has been canceled throughout Umatilla and Morrow counties as driving conditions are extremely hazardous throughout the region.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is reporting that Interstate 84 is now closed at milepost 302. The westbound closure was moved from La Grande to Baker City due to backed-up trucks that have filled the truck stop and are parked along the freeway and other streets near the Exit 265 interchange. I-84 eastbound remains closed five miles west of Boardman at milepost 159. Due to extreme icy conditions other highways are closed in Morrow and Umatilla counties, including all of I-82 between milepost 0 (I-84 junction) and the Washington border, and OR 11 between milepost 0 (near Pendleton) and milepost 35 at Washington border. ODOT is reporting extremely hazardous road conditions in Morrow and Umatilla County and travelers are urged postpone travel in this area until conditions improve.
OR 207 is closed due to icy conditions between the junction of I-84 at MP 0 (near Hermiston) and the junction of US 730 at MP 10. ODOT crews are applying sand and working to break up the icy surfaces, but the cold temperatures are continuing to create hazardous driving conditions.
The forecast for Thursday calls for patchy freezing fog, a 40-percent chance of rain with a high near 33. More patchy freezing fog is forecast for overnight, but temperatures will begin to warm up on Friday with highs expected to reach the mid-40s.
Check TripCheck.com or call 800-977-6368 for update conditions.
