2024 January Winter Storm Spotlight

Multiple highways were affected due to fallen trees, powerlines, and landslides.

Road impacts from this event included:

• US 101 landslides, rock falls, and flooding
• Tree falls on Highway 126, US 20, and OR 36
• OR 99 downed power lines
• Interstate 84 closure due to hazardous weather conditions

The Oregon Department of Transportation is evaluating damage assessments submitted by entities for a potential Federal Highway Administration emergency request to help fund repairs to critical roads damaged within the state. To date, $1,000,000 in damages were reported for Columbia County and another $390,000 in Coos County.

Impacts region-wide included downed trees and power lines, localized road closures, and associated infrastructure damages. At the peak of power outage impacts, more than 238,900 Oregonians were without power.

Due to the severe winter storm, 1355 small businesses responded as suffering substantial economic losses due to the harsh weather conditions totaling an estimated loss of $165,331,014. These losses stemmed from a combination of factors, including lost wages and revenue decline, as the icy conditions disrupted normal business operations and hindered customer access and traffic. The impact of the storm on these small businesses highlights stress on the community’s economic infrastructure as well as the loss wages for individuals.

Jan. 13: Emergency Operations Center activated; lots of unhoused seeking shelter and public daytime warming centers are having to close due to lack of staffing, public transit shut down due to road conditions.

Jan. 14: Monitor Status.  Areas of concern include public facility closures; limited daytime warming center options for unhoused; increased weather impacts, including outages and colder temperatures; transportation route impacts to the public and first responders; and resource limitations. Public buildings are closed and transit in the county is not operating, so leveraging search and rescue crews to provide rides for critical staff, per criteria. 

Jan. 15: Monitor Status. Areas of concern include public facility closures; limited daytime warming center options for unhoused; increased weather impacts including outages and colder temperatures; transportation route impacts to the public and first responders; and resource limitations. Public buildings are closed and transit in the county is not operating, so leveraging search and rescue crews to provide rides for critical staff, per criteria. Lots of slip and fall injuries reported so sending out alert messaging to community. Coordinating with partners to conduct initial damage assessment. 

Jan. 16: Monitor status. Shelter operations are a success. Significant strain on EMS and hospitals due to slip and fall injuries that require medical aid. Alert message sent to county advising community to limit travel. Coordinating with partners to conduct initial damage assessment and related expenditures.

Jan. 17: Monitor Status. The county is seeing impacts from recent freezing rain with road conditions; communication systems are impacted adversely regionwide; significant strain on EMS and hospitals due to slip and fall injuries that require medical aid and transportation; and public safety agencies continue responding to emergencies, but response times are impacted by road conditions. The county is coordinating with partners to conduct initial damage assessment and related expenditures.  

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Benton County saw blocked roads and road closures, business and government organization closures, and damage to public and private property and infrastructure. While most businesses closed, community-based organizations opened and kept long hours to shelter the unhoused and support families in need of warmth. Power outages were widespread for various lengths of time with rural communities impacted more than urban. Many of the government-operated water treatment systems were damaged. Heavy icing of roads impacted transportation systems around the county. This icing impacted fire, EMS and law enforcement response times, as well as created significant staffing shortages at critical facilities such as assisted living facilities, hospitals, clinics, etc. The icing on trees combined with wind led to limbs and trees falling on private properties and public facilities. Additionally, the cold temperatures led to frozen and damaged pipes as well as leaking in some facilities. Rural, access and functional needs, and low income communities and unhoused individuals were significantly impacted by the outages and cold temperatures. This led to a large need for warming centers and overnight sheltering operations. Community service providers were expected to operate non-stop during the incident.

Specific impacts included water line breaks and damage to major components of the waste water plant control panel for the City of Adair Village; water and wastewater infrastructure repairs for the City of Corvallis; pump station failures in the City of Philomath; water damage and frozen pipes bursting at Corvallis School District facilities; multiple utility infrastructure repairs within the Consumers Power Inc. network; and water damage to multiple properties at Oregon State University.

Consumer Power Incorporated, a private nonprofit power utility in Benton County, had 79.35 percent of their service area without power up to several days due to winter storm ice buildup on trees and power lines, power lines and electrical poles were damaged throughout the coverage area. The weight of the ice and the wind conditions caused live electrical wires to fall in public areas and for some number of poles to break. Debris clearing was required to access damaged power lines and poles. Downed power lines and live exposed wires posed a serious safety threat to the public.

Jan. 12: Request for 211 and rideshare assistance, shelter staffing.

Jan. 13: Lake Oswego declared an emergency, county EOC activated. Two open warming centers.

Jan. 14: Widespread closures due to downed trees and power lines. Four open warming centers (and hotels).

Jan. 15: Widespread electrical outages. Road clearing and utility restoration ongoing.

Jan. 16: City of West Linn's potable water infrastructure disrupted due to equipment failure, resulting in a boil water notice.

Jan. 18: Clackamas County EMS agencies are transporting patients to the nearest appropriate facility to maintain capacity.

Jan. 19: City of West Linn's boil water notice lifted, and normal operations have resumed.

Jan. 20: Disaster recovery centers set up, with state assistance requests for meals at the new centers.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

The State Medical Examiner's Office acknowledged two deaths attributed to the event: one from a falling tree and one from hypothermia. Lake Oswego took about 600 calls for water shut-offs or assistance, and 583 tree-related calls with about 200 calls for trees blocking the right of way. Of the 600 water calls, about 50 mentioned displacements due to tree damage, and the others were due to frozen pipes/leaks/flooding. The Hoodland communities along the Highway 26 corridor (Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Zig Zag, Rhododendron, Government Camp) experienced heavier snowfall than the western portion of the county with early loss of power and communications (phone/internet); many also lost water services. These conditions isolated many vulnerable residents for almost a week.

Other significant impacts included water damage to Westlake Fire Station, cracked pump housing due to power feed issues at the wastewater treatment plant in Sandy, downed trees caused extensive damage throughout the City of Sandy’s park system.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Severe Damages were sustained to the road system countywide during the event. Downed trees, debris, cutbank failures, and slides throughout the county limited transportation. One fatality was recorded in Coos County.

Countywide impacts from the storm include streambank erosion along roadsides, failing culverts, and roads affected by landslides. Transportation throughout the county was extremely limited and limited access to food, water, emergency services, evacuation, and businesses were all affected. Specific impacts included multiple culverts, cutbank and shoulder failures on county-owned roads.

Jan. 12: 56 homes without power. One open warming center.

Jan. 13: 1 home without power. One open warming center.

Jan. 14: Emergency Operations Center activated. Pacific Power linemen arriving at EOC to assist with establishing backup generator. Cell tower and repeater are down in Cascade Locks; the tower also serves as a backup for fire department. AT&T services are down. City of Cascade Locks is reporting power outage for entire city, affecting 1,500 homes. Warming center set up at the Cascade Locks Elementary School.

Jan. 15: EOC backup generator working. Cell tower and repeater back online. Power outage remains for City of Cascade Locks.

Jan. 16: Request to the state to help locate a part for a backup generator to supply to 911 dispatch. Declared a county emergency. I-84 closed between Troutdale and Hood River. Cascade Locks power restored.

Jan. 17: 911 down due to power outages, with 911 calls being routed to a FirstNet cell phone. Uninterruptible power supply in 911 dispatch failed. Requested a SAT runner to support 911. Power in Cascade Locks unstable.

Jan. 18: I-84 closed. SAT runner from Oregon Department of Human Services deployed to support 911 operations. Power restored in Cascade Locks.

Jan. 19: StarLink set up and available for 911 use.

Jan. 20: 911 back up and operational.

Jan. 22: EOC deactivated

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Straight line winds and significant snow and ice accumulations had a variety of impacts to the public and private infrastructure and businesses within Hood River County. Severe impacts were sustained by the City of Cascade Locks in Hood River County. The City of Cascade Locks provides its own power for residents and provides service to an additional 300 costumers along I-84.   The entire population of Cascade Locks was affected by the damage, approximately 1,400 individuals without power in frigid temperatures.   In addition, cell and radio service is fed from the same power system and all systems went down together as a result of the damage.  Due to the power outages 911 was down, requiring rerouting of 911 calls and a request for State assistance to support 911 operations.

The impact was significant in the port and city of Cascade Locks, where a publicly owned boat broke free of its mooring and impacted several structures. In addition, the city and port were without power for around 17 hours. The volume of snow and debris clearance overwhelmed local resources and forced the county to bring in contract crews.

Specific impacts included water line breaks and gutter damages to public works facilities; ice dams caused leaks, soaked insulation and damaged drywall and gutters at the county health department; at the Port of Cascade Locks, the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge broke all moorings in high winds, drifting into the lock and damaging two fishing platforms and the footbridge that spans the locks; and damages to buildings at the West Side Rural Fire Protection District.

Jan. 12: City of Eugene requested assistance with sheltering supplies. Warming centers open.

Jan. 13: City and county parks closed.

Jan. 14: Public transit not operating due to road conditions and public buildings closed. City of Eugene is working with city and county partners to replenish supplies for warming centers and looking for donations from the community. Power outages around the county and restoration efforts are ongoing. Requested state assistance for two 500-gallon propane tanks to a warming shelter site.

Jan. 15: Still many customers without power and community members needing shelter. Requested state assistance for staffing, supplies and equipment for warming shelters. Requested FirstNet tower for a local fire station.

Jan. 16: Utilities have seen significant damage to infrastructure. Public transit is still not operational. Restoration efforts are ongoing. Requested state assistance acquiring diesel fuel for warming shelters.

Jan. 17: County issues a declaration of emergency. Emergency Operations Center is activated. Boil water notices are issued due to power outages. Requests for state assistance for 1,500 gallons of propane to a local warming center; two 17,500-watt generator/HVAC trailers; water at a warming center due to frozen pipes; and feeding support for a local warming center.

1/18: City of Eugene supporting Lane County Emergency Operations Center.

1/19: Springfield and Cottage Grove continue to be the focal point of response as some infrastructure is coming back online. A boil water notice is being actively tested today and they hope to lift that notice soon with negative results. Eugene and Springfield are folding into the county EOC. An Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team is on scene. The team is continuing to make ground in terms of damage assessment, prioritizing the heavily impacted areas and people. State requests are being activated and sent to Lane County as it transitions efforts from response into recovery over the next week.  

Jan. 20: Incident management team came in yesterday and is working hard on priorities and supporting needs of the communities impacted. Two Community Resource Centers were stood up in Eugene and Springfield to support the community. Response will evaluate long-term needs at both sites. Response is evaluating the EMPower data as power is still out in some areas. Lane County EOC is working through the transition to effectively set up the short- and long-term needs as it looks at damage assessment and ongoing recovery efforts.

Jan. 21: Priorities include supporting the community resource centers activated on Jan. 20, working through data on remaining power outages, and assisting debris clean up and damage assessment. Continuing to lean into recovery operations over the next couple days.

Jan. 22: Continue to have more than 5,000 households without power and/or internet.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

This event was among the worst storms in southern Willamette Valley history for its obliteration of trees, scale of power outages, impact on roadway and closure of schools.

Severe damage to utilities occurred across the county with hundreds of broken transmission poles and outages lasted from a couple of days to up to two weeks for some customers. Eugene Water and Electric Board, Springfield Utility Board, Emerald People's Utility District, and Lane Electrical Incorporated, a private nonprofit utility experienced significant damage to their distribution systems.

Specific impacts to Lane Electric Incorporated a private nonprofit power utility lost over 200 power poles and associated power lines were brought down, damaged, and/or destroyed by ice damage and falling trees throughout applicant's service area. The presence of debris from the event posed both health and safety hazards. Debris obstructed emergency and recovery efforts. Therefore, prompt removal and proper disposal of debris were imperative to prevent accidents and safeguard public health. Additionally, emergency protective measures, such as operating a generator for a substation, were implemented to mitigate the broader safety hazards associated with power outages.

Springfield Utility Board outages were widespread with electric, water and dark fiber down over major parts of the city. Businesses remained closed, people went without power for up to 2 weeks and without water for several days. The local hospital had to run on a generator backup system. The City of Springfield's population has approximately 20% of its residents with income below the poverty level.  Higher utility rates as a result of the cost of repairs will be a hardship for this community.

Significant damage to these utilities will require a rate increase to pay for the immediate and permanent repairs, which already are amongst the highest rates in the area.

Significant debris from falling tree branches, limbs, and split trees uprooted trees due to weight of ice and wind associated with the storms. Debris fell onto roads along with the icy conditions lasting from Jan. 13 through the mid-afternoon and evening of Jan. 17. Debris landed on utility transmission lines, causing outages and transformer failures. Debris landed on private property, causing damage to homes ranging from minor to major and in some instances, destroyed. Reports also noted structure collapses due to the weight of the ice, such as greenhouses on some farms in the county. There were also multiple reports of vehicles damaged from falling debris and ice. The subsequent warm front that followed the severe winter storms on Jan. 17  produced a rapid thaw of the ground and the area also experienced rainfall over the next several days that contributed to landslides. Reports also noted the loss of a segment of road in the county jurisdiction. Deerhorn Road in eastern Lane County along Highway 126 E remains closed as of Jan. 29 for debris removal.

City of Cottage Grove: Five people lost their lives and the Cottage Grove Hospital treated approximately 150 individuals with heath issues as a direct result of the storm. All power was lost to the city and surrounding area for six days when power began to be restored. All critical city services were operated on backup power for a minimum of 150 hours; the last location on backup power was restored 192 hours later (Row River Water Treatment Plant). City staff opened streets, shuttled fuel, pumped lift stations, and operated a shelter that served approximately 40 people per day for the first six days, followed by the American Red Cross performing operations following day six.

Specific impacts included well and UPC equipment failures in Coburg; damages to parks and a restroom roof in Cottage Grove; security fencing damages at the City of Creswell Water Reservoir; Spencer's Butte Challenge Course apparatus and infrastructure damages; fencing and lightning mitigation damages to the Dead Mountain radio tower complex; multiple ice dams and water damage to facilities at the University of Oregon; damages to the KWAX radio tower and transmitter repair; storage facility loss, water tank, and building and natural gas backup generator failure for Pleasant Hill Goshen Rural Fire Protection District; building and structure damages to Mount Pisgah Arboretum; water damages to buildings and structural damages at Lane Community College; structural damages to South Lane School District facilities; water and structural damages to Springfield School District facilities; mud slides, rock slides and culvert and catch basin damages to property owned by Coos Bay Rail Line; impacts to approximately 30 miles of line and 31 poles for service areas of Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative; electric transmission and distribution damages to Emerald People's Utility District infrastructure; downed lines, power feeders, poles, crossarms and water main breaks throughout the Eugene Water and Electric Board service area; more than 200 poles downed in the Lane Electric Cooperative service area; and water damages and damaged fiber optic lines at the Rainbow Water District.

Jan. 12: Warming centers activated.

Jan. 13: 39% of county without power, with Pacific Power most impacted.

Jan. 14: State of emergency declared for City of Newport and Lincoln County. Assisted living facility in Newport without power since Jan. 13 and preparing for evacuation to a shelter within Newport. Central Lincoln PUD impacted with outages. 24% of the county is without power.

Jan. 15: Oxygen tanks being inventoried by healthcare and EMS partners to supplement as a contingency measure. Backup power options being assessed to provide alternative sustainment of the concentrators through the upcoming ice storm. 22% of the county is without power. Request state assistance for planning considerations with medical oxygen supplies.

Jan. 16: Started initial damage assessment and debris removal and disposal planning. 25% of the county is without power. Newport gasoline and diesel supplies are running low.

Jan. 17: School district closed all K-12 public and charter school for a second day. Debris removal and disposal work underway, with significant tree damage reported across the county.

Jan. 18: Initial damage assessment underway. Emergency response equipment demobilized.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Impacts of large scale multi-day power outage and ice event included loss of functionality of some water systems; the healthcare system overburdened due to individuals requiring electricity and the inability to send individuals to other facilities; long-term care facilities losing power without generators and required relocation; the need for sheltering due to cold temperatures; some businesses experienced loss of product and business; an inability to access fuel during outages; primary highway closures (Highway 229, 20, 18) leading to an inability to access some communities (Siletz Tribe, Siletz City, Toledo); and school closures.

Central Lincoln People’s Utility District was severely impacted with approximately 50 miles of line damaged, including 7 miles requiring replacement. Approximately 15 poles were replaced. 20,648 customer accounts were without power, with an average outage of over 2 days. Damage occurred on all levels from distribution and transmission equipment to household meters and boxes.

Additional impacts included downed poles, wires and assets at Consumers Power Incorporated; roof damages at Moonshine Park; bus damages at Lincoln County Transit; damages to schools in the Lincoln County School District; broken water supply pumps at Panther Creek; damaged water lines and valves delivering water to the Port of Newport Marina; damage boiler pipes at Siletz Valley Charter School; damages to City of Toledo Fire Department vehicles; failure at Wagon Road pump station; and sewer lift station backup power failure.

Jan. 12: Portland and Salem offices closed at noon to allow employees to get home before weather conditions worsen.

Jan. 13: Siletz community geographically isolated due to road closures (primarily along OR-229) from fallen trees and ice hazards.

Jan. 14: State of emergency declared. Transportation restored to surrounding areas. Daytime warming center opened at tribal administration building, but concerns grow regarding food, water and fuel supplies. Generator supplied to provide backup power for two days.

Jan. 17: Initial damage assessment and debris removal and disposal efforts underway.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

There were widespread power outages lasting several days, which necessitated the activation of a temporary warming center due to freezing temperatures. A portable generator was needed to operate pumps in the water system and maintain water service to homes. Phone and network services were both inoperable, preventing tribal offices and the tribal clinic from providing basic services, such as filling critical prescriptions. Primary and secondary access roads in and out of the Siletz area and tribal lands were blocked for two days due to fallen trees and utility lines. Local businesses were forced to close, and Siletz residents were left isolated and without access to critical goods and services like fuel and food and could not leave to seek shelter in an unaffected area. Over three days, 245 area residents made use of the daytime warming center for heat, meals, device charging and information; and eight people remained in the shelter overnight. Tribal employees and volunteers were brought in to activate and operate the warming shelter over a holiday weekend. Dozens of trees near the Tribal Community Center, Pow Wow Grounds, cemetery and elsewhere have been damaged and will require weeks of debris management efforts. The Tribal Community Center was struck by a large tree and sustained damage to the roof. A generator transfer switch serving the main administration building failed and will need to be replaced, leaving that facility without redundant power, compromising continuity of operations in the meantime. Hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel were consumed to operate generators at various tribal facilities over the course of the incident.

Jan. 12: EOC partially activated.

Jan. 13: Warming centers opened.

Jan. 14: Power outages throughout the county.

Jan. 15: Power outages continue, roads impacted by fallen trees. Starting work looking at impacts for damage assessment.

Jan. 16: County facilities closed early at noon. There’s an ongoing restoration of power, but more outages resulting from the second wave of freezing rain. Actively conducting preliminary damage and cost assessments.

Jan. 17: 911 services experiencing delays in service due to increased call volumes and due to downed trees and power lines and cell towers going offline due to conditions. State requests for assistance include EMPower data, cell tower and carrier information.

Jan. 19: Emergency Operations Center is on standby as personnel are needed to be operational. EMPower data was requested as the county was facing 7,000 outages. Now it is down to about 700. The EMPower data did not come with contact information so the EOC cross referenced the names with other systems, like Everbridge, to match names with numbers. The EOC made 324 calls this morning for well checks. Half of those calls were answered. The other half were given to Linn Public Health to follow up as needed and to make a determination for physical welfare checks. Linn Public Health is in contact with the Oregon Department of Human Services if support is needed. Damage assessment efforts have begun.

Jan. 20: The EOC is demobilized. The county is collecting IDA data from its local jurisdictional partners. Approximately 30-50 households are without power out of the original 7,000 at the start of the storm. Some high water has impacted roads but is being managed with local resources.   

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Power was lost for an extended period to areas with vulnerable populations. Significant damage and costs to infrastructure were experienced, causing emergency service delays and 911 outages.

Consumer Power Incorporated, a private nonprofit utility provides electrical power to 8,751 meters in Linn County, 2,895 (33.08%) of which were knocked out for up to two days. Due to winter storm ice buildup on trees and power lines, damages occurred to power lines and electrical poles throughout the coverage area. The weight of the ice and the wind conditions caused live electrical wires to fall in public areas and for some number of poles to break. Debris clearing was required to have access to the power lines and poles. Downed power lines and exposed wires that hadn't been shut off posed a serious safety threat to anyone who approached the live wires.

Specific impacts included damages to Lewis Creek Park restroom building; bridge damages at McDowell Creek Park; damages to Greater Albany Public School District buildings from ice and water damage; and a burst water line at the Albany Airport.

Jan. 12: County declared state of emergency. City of Portland issued inclement weather declaration due to conditions. Portland Bureau of Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center. Requested state assistance for shelter staffing. Five warming centers opened.

Jan. 13: City of Portland and Multnomah County declared a state of emergency. Port of Portland Emergency Operations Center activated. TriMet experiencing disruptions due to weather conditions. Widespread electric outages throughout the region. Officials investigating hypothermia death in Portland. Multnomah County Emergency Management warehouse without power. Two warming centers without power.

Jan. 14: TriMet suspended MAX services, buses continue to run. Utility disruption at Providence St. Vincent Hospital (largest emergency department in Oregon) is causing extended ambulance to divert and the disruption of surgery, labor and delivery, and other departments. State requests made for shelter supplies. Eleven warming centers open.

Jan. 15: City of Corbett's potable water infrastructure disrupted due to freezing and electrical outages. Temporary structure able to be put in place through state support (bulk water distribution equipment and supplies, shelter heater and generators).

Jan. 16: City of Gresham declared an emergency and activated its Emergency Operations Center. Imminent closure of I-84 in the Columbia Gorge. Ongoing debris management. Twelve warming centers open.

Jan. 17: I-84 closed between Troutdale and Hood River.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Multnomah County responded to severe winter weather that impacted the entire county Jan. 12 through 21. Sleet, snow, freezing rain and high winds caused downed trees, power lines, power outages, public transportation disruptions and dangerous travel conditions. Extreme cold temperatures and ice accumulation were a threat to anyone outdoors. Over the course of the 10-day response, several winter storm warnings, wind advisories and ice storm warnings were in effect. Department leadership provided operational directions, guided by recommendations from the agencies involved and the Multnomah County Health Department. Cold-related emergency room visits were elevated, and the Multnomah County Medical Examiner identified four total hypothermia deaths at the time of this report. Additionally, three people died because of downed power lines, and at least one person died as the result of a fallen tree. Finally, one person died of currently unknown causes after being transported by ambulance from a shelter at Multnomah County East on Jan. 20. The winter weather event also resulted in multiple power outages affecting people throughout Multnomah County; a peak of 160,000 customers were affected on Jan. 13. At least 5,000 customers were without power continuously for six days. At least 75 critical customers, some with medical certificates, including individual and multi-resident facilities, were escalated through Portland General Electric for prioritization due to extended power outages, especially in cities and communities in the eastern part of the county. Lusted Water District in in the City of Gresham and Corbett Water District in the unincorporated community of Corbett both reported the loss of thousands of gallons of water due to valves that froze and pipes that burst and a reservoir that overflowed. In Corbett, 253 customers were without water for six days between Jan. 12 and 17.

Specific impacts included damages to Providence Medical Center a crucial component the overall healthcare system in Oregon with a capacity for nearly 500 patients was significantly damaged when pipes burst and flooded the hospital, many of the repairs were urgent because they impacted patient care--particularly damage impacting access, building infrastructure, and compromised utility systems without needed repairs and improvements / expansion of existing services PPMC will not meet the environmental regulatory compliance requirements for safe patient care areas (compromised temperature, water, air flow etc.). Providence Portland Medical Center is a nearly 500 bed hospital specializing in cancer and cardiac care. The campus also includes the Center for Medically Fragile Children, which is a 60-bed facility for medically fragile children. The hospital is a crucial resource for patients seeking care in the Portland Metro area.  The Providence Medical Center has an insurance deductible of $2.5 million.

Additional impacts included damages to contents and boiler failure at Corbett Grade School; frozen and burst pipes at Corbett Main Campus; water leaks and fire suppression failure at CAPS at Springdale; damaged and broken water lines and electrical failure and flooding throughout Portland Community College; HVAC damages at Adventist Health in Portland; flooding and frozen or broken water lines and sprinklers to schools in Centennial School District; water line and ceiling damages to Portland Public Schools building; boiler and HVAC system failures at multiple community centers; multiple emergency services vehicles damaged; a cracked sewer pump at Shea lift station; faulty sewer pump at Sandy lift station; cracked water line at Donald Robinson Park restrooms; erosion damage to slope supporting Corbett Water District reservoir; frozen and broken water lines and sprinklers at multiple schools in Gresham Barlow School District; water intrusion on the roof due to ice at Powellhurst Woods; Mount Hood Community College Fisheries Building self-destructed boiler, condensing unit and heat exchanger; water lines frozen, flooding and broken at multiple locations at the Mount Hood Community College Campus; frozen, broken and leaking sprinkler pipes at Belfor; pipe leaks and bursts at numerous centers, shelters and jails; burst pipes and leaks at numerous schools in the Multnomah Education Service District; flooding due to burst pipes at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine; water line breaks and flooding at schools in the Parkrose School District; broken pipes and ice dams on roofs within the Portland Public School District; flooding from frozen pipes at multiple locations at Portland State University; flooding and asbestos abatement and HVAC repairs at multiple schools in Reynolds School District; and broken sprinkler pipes at Sauvie Island School, causing extensive damage to multiple locations.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Wasco Electric Cooperative a publicly owned utility, had significant damage occurred to electrical infrastructure with downed lines and poles. Directly impacted residents who rely on essential services provided by the affected facilities, such as electricity, water, and communication networks. This includes households left without power for extended periods, facing challenges in maintaining warmth and accessing perishable goods. Additionally, those dependent on medical equipment or medications requiring refrigeration may face heightened health risks.

Jan. 13: County Public Works reporting widespread ice, delaying road crews. Power disruptions occurring, with approximately 49% of the county without power. Emergency Operations Center activated virtually in support of the response. Ongoing coordination with American Red Cross and local CERT volunteers for shelter staffing needs. One warming center open.

Jan. 14: 16% of county without power.

Jan. 15: Shelter operations looking to expand to 24-hour operations, but staffing needs are challenged due to transportation impacts.

Jan. 16: Planning work started with Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay (EVCNB) to support opening a second shelter in the northern county using local volunteers and supplies stored in Manzanita.

Jan. 17: Tillamook County declared a state of emergency.

Jan. 18: City of Wheeler's municipal water utility experienced line break and one of its reservoirs has completely drained. Repairs are underway, while affected service addresses have been issued a boil water advisory for the next 24 to 48 hours while line pressure is restored and water potability is re-established. Initial damage assessments and debris removal and disposal efforts are underway.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Severe storm caused downed trees, downed limbs, and damaged equipment at numerous locations throughout Tillamook People’s Utility District Service area. The damage caused by this severe weather event caused a power outage for up to ten days, impacting approximately 15,000 customers, most of the district's 22,000 total customers.

All road systems were affected with large amounts of woody debris blocking the road, hazardous ice and snow conditions prevented emergency vehicles and county response from effective storm response. County residents were unable to leave homes which were without power for more than 3 days in some areas. Access to food and emergency egress both affected.

The water main break in Wheeler caused the city to go under a boil water order for two days, further losing 250,000 gallons of water from its reservoir.

Impacts of the Disaster to the Jurisdiction

Wasco Electric Cooperative a publicly owned utility, had significant damage occurred to electrical infrastructure with downed lines and poles. Directly impacted residents who rely on essential services provided by the affected facilities, such as electricity, water, and communication networks. This includes households left without power for extended periods, facing challenges in maintaining warmth and accessing perishable goods. Additionally, those dependent on medical equipment or medications requiring refrigeration may face heightened health risks.

Mid-Columbia Economic District had its HVAC system freeze during the event, causing further impacts to facilities. Columbia Gorge Community College had an HVAC system cause ice dams and flooding within the library and learning commons, causing structural and equipment damages.

Local response included coordination with utilities, sandbagging operations, and local public works departments and fire departments clearing debris to ensure safe passage for impacted residents.

Governor Kotek declared a  state of emergency in Lane County due to severe storm damage  on Jan. 16. On Jan. 18, Governor Kotek declared a  statewide emergency for the response to this winter storm event .

State assistance provided during this event included:

• Staffing assistance for warming shelters.
• Access to EMPower data (medically fragile individuals in need of assistance).
• Activation of 211 and ride share program through the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• Shelter assistance (staffing, funding, supplies).
• Transportation support.
• Satellite runners and cellular access.
• Water tenders and bulk point of distribution of potable water.
• Fuel and generator distribution.
• SERV-OR activation.
• Snow and debris removal.
• Transportation waivers for Lyft passengers.
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) support from California for evaluating and processing EMPower data for critical outreach to impacted residents.
• Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team support for Lane County.

The voluntary agencies played a crucial role in providing assistance to those affected by the disaster. A total of three shelters were set up across the affected areas, including eight warming shelters, accommodating a peak population of 44 individuals. These shelters provided a total of 361 overnight stays before closing their doors January 29, 2024. Voluntary agencies also actively engaged in providing health support, making eight medical visits with four nurses activated through Oregon Serves, a medical-based volunteer program. The American Red Cross was instrumental in managing cases, with 68 cases opened and closed during the response efforts. Additionally, 6,731 meals were served through shelters and 1600 food boxes delivered to address immediate food needs. The level of operation was at its peak as voluntary agencies worked tirelessly to support and uplift the affected communities during this challenging time.