PORTLAND, Ore. -- State transit officials said about 1,000 drivers abandoned their cars Tuesday during a surprise snowstorm that created a traffic nightmare.

The snow hit the Portland area just before rush hour and didn't let up until late evening.

Slick road conditions made some hills impassable and brought traffic to a standstill. Hundreds of people abandoned their cars around the metro area, said Oregon Department of Transportation officials.

After the storm passed, drivers hustled back to avoid tow trucks, which worked through the night and into Wednesday afternoon to remove cars from traffic lanes.

"I'm just tagging the cars that aren't impeding traffic -- giving them 24 hours to move them. If they're impeding traffic, we tow them right away as a hazard," said Jim Vandecoevering, an ODOT worker.

ODOT workers estimated tow trucks were called to remove 100 cars in the Portland area.

Rebecca Harrison, who works in Beaverton, left her car on Highway 26.

"I actually got stuck in the middle lane. I couldn't get my wheels to turn anymore. (The) snow was pretty deep. People were spinning out everywhere. I was surprised I could get over," Harrison said.

Snow and ice caused spinouts and fender-benders across the state.

Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings said dispatchers received 291 reported crashes statewide from noon Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Snow accumulation varied across the region, with Forest Grove receiving nearly 5 inches as of 8 p.m. Tuesday. Even the lowest levels of Portland saw snow accumulation.

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• December 29, 2009: Ice, Slush Left In Snowstorm's Wake

1,000 Cars Ditched During Snowstorm, ODOT Says