Live Blog: Metro area roads a snowy mess, multiple crashes reported

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - A winter storm is moving into Oregon and southwest Washington on Thursday and Friday.

The FOX 12 Weather team is reporting a cold airmass will move over the region Thursday morning through Friday morning. Snow is expected to begin in the metro area sometime between 8-10 a.m.

SNOW COVERAGE:

Latest weather updates here.

Thursday, February 13th

6:30 p.m.

Multnomah County has six emergency shelters open and plans to open two more, but county staff say they need more last-minute volunteers to keep shelters open.

5:45 p.m.

All southbound lanes of Interstate 5 open in Cowlitz County.

5 p.m.

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office asked people to stay on Interstate 5, rather than take back roads to avoid freeway slowdowns. According to CCSO, alternate routes are blocked by crashes and icy conditions.

“If your navigation app suggests you should take one of these routes please disregard and stay on I-5. West Side Hwy, Old Pacific Hwy North, Bond Rd, and other secondary routes are all extremely slick, with multiple collisions,” CCSO said.

3 p.m

One southbound lane of I-5 is open in Cowlitz County.

2:30 p.m.

I-5 in Clark County is backed up with multiple collisions & disabled vehicles.

1:30 p.m.

Northeast 238th Drive in Portland is closed between Northeast Treehill Drive and Northeast Glisan Street due to crashes involving more than 20 cars and semi-trucks. Multnomah County said the stretch of road will remain closed until the crashed cars and semi can be towed away and conditions improve:

12:45 p.m.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office now reporting more than 100 vehicles involved in a pileup on I-84. White conditions are reported on I-84.

11 a.m.

Multi-vehicle crash has closed westbound Interstate 84, three miles west of Multnomah Falls. Drivers should avoid the area.

There’s no word at this time if anyone has been injured.

10:15 a.m.

Updates on power outages:

• Pacific Power: 424
• Portland General Electric: 2,016
• Clark County PUD: 4,783

10 a.m.

Tree down, blocking the northbound lanes of Northeast 162nd Avenue, just north of Northeast 18th Street, in Vancouver. FOX 12 viewer reported power lines were also down due to the fallen tree.

9:10 a.m.

Portland International Airport experiencing flight delays and cancellations due to the winter weather.

9 a.m.

Clark County PUD reporting more than 10,000 customers were without power, some due to trees on powerlines.

Portland General Electric was reporting about 1,500 customers out of power, while Pacific Power had just over 360 customers without power in Oregon.

6 a.m.

Dozens of school districts in the area have already announced they will be closed Thursday including Portland Public Schools, Beaverton School District, Vancouver Public Schools, and Salem-Keizer Public Schools. A full list can be found here.

Portland General Electric was reporting more than 4,000 customers were without power. Pacific Power was reporting about 379.