UPDATE: As of 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16, I-84, Troutdale MP 17 - 64 is closed in both directions; use an alternate route. There is no ETA to reopen at this time.
ODOT has released the following update:
Another round of freezing rain is forecast for Tuesday through Wednesday morning across northwest Oregon, including in the Columbia River Gorge.
Portland and the Columbia River Gorge could get up to half an inch of ice Tuesday. ODOT is preparing to close Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge before conditions become unsafe, before motorists become stranded by ice. Crews are watching conditions carefully and will close the highway between Troutdale and Hood River if needed.
Check TripCheck.com for real-time traffic impacts and current closures.
Sign up to receive news releases on winter travel in the Portland metro area and around the state.Â
If you must travel Tuesday or Wednesday, be prepared
If you must travel, carry chains – even if you have traction tires or four-wheel-drive – plenty of fuel, snacks and blankets in case of delays. Some highways have reached the point where chains are required regardless of whether you have four-wheel-drive.
Safety is our priority – for travelers and our road crews. If you decide to travel, plan extra time for your journey and carry emergency supplies. Delays and closures are happening statewide. Expect to encounter chain restrictions.
Give snowplows and emergency crews extra space to do their work, and never pass a snowplow on the right. Our crews are working hard to clear roads, but their job becomes more difficult when disabled cars and trucks block traffic.
With power lines down, traffic signals may be off-line. Treat traffic signals that aren't working like a four-way stop. Never drive over downed power lines.
***
THE GORGE — Cancelations and late starts have been announced for Tuesday, Jan. 16, due to inclement weather.
Oregon Department of Emergency Management sent out a release in the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 15, which read in part, "Temperatures remain below freezing across much of the state, and the National Weather Service is forecasting freezing rain across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington starting late tomorrow morning, with ice accumulations between 0.10 - 0.50 inches. State agencies are warning Oregonians to stay off roads and prepare for additional tree damage and power outages. Ice will make for extremely dangerous travel conditions."
Columbia Gorge News staff is working from home today due to the internet outage in The Dalles and cold weather. If you need help, please email; find our contact list here.
Hood River County Board of Commissioners has called for an emergency meeting today, Jan. 16, at noon (virtual only) to consider a Resolution to declare a local state of emergency in Hood River County and the City of Cascade Locks. Please visit Scheduled Meetings - Hood River County, OR to register for the meeting and view the packet materials. (New.)
The Klickitat County Planning Commission workshop to discuss the draft Critical Areas Ordinance update, scheduled for Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. has been postponed due to extreme winter weather. An updated notice for the workshop will be posted after a new date and time has been confirmed. Questions: Please call the Klickitat County Planning Department at 509 773-5703 or email planning2@klickitatcounty.org. (New.)
The Hood River, Parkdale, and Cascade Locks locations of the Hood River County Library District will be closed due to inclement weather.
Hood River County business offices will open at 9 a.m. and close at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 16, as per the county administrator.
State offices in Hood River County will close at noon Tuesday Jan. 16. Hybrid and remote workers will work regular hours. (New.)
North Central Public Health District is closed.
Hood River Valley Adult Center closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lyle Senior Meals and Goldendale Senior Meals are both closed.
Riverview Bank: Information about closures/delays is at riverviewbank.com.
The Dalles Disposal and Hood River Garbage: Residential collection services are suspended; the transfer station will be open as weather allows. You will receive twice your normal service level on your next scheduled pick-up day.
Trout Lake School District: Closed. (Updated.)
Glenwood School District:Â Closed due to transportation issues. (Updated.)
Lyle School District: Closed. More Info Here.
Mid-Columbia Children's Council:Â All centers are closed. (Updated.)
Horizon Christian School:Â Closed.
St. Mary’s Academy: Closed.
South Wasco County School District:  Closed
Columbia Gorge Community College: Both campuses are closed.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum: Closed.
Head Start/Early Childhood Centers:
Wasco-The Dalles center closed/cerrado.Â
Hood River-Odell 2-hour delay /retraso 2 horas. Â
Hood River County School District: Closed. (Updated.)
Centerville School District:Â 2 Hours Late, AM/PM Buses on snow routes.Â
Goldendale School District:Â Closed due to extreme cold. (Updated.)
Dufur School District: Closed for in-person instruction. Transition to remote learning. More Info Here.Â
North Wasco County School District: Closed Tuesday, Jan. 16. Said Stephanie Bowen, the district's communication director, "Due to the continued severe winter weather with negative to single digit temperatures expected in the early morning coupled with the newly issued winter weather advisory, all North Wasco County Schools will be closed ... to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff." More at www.nwasco.k12.or.us.
White Salmon School District:Â Closed.Â
Klickitat School District:Â Closed. (Update)
Stevenson-Carson School District: Closed. All athletics and activities canceled. More Info Here.Â
Wishram School District:Â Closed. (Updated.)
Skamania School District 2: Closed. Frozen pipes.Â
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.Â

Commented