Eye on the Storm
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| H&N photos by Andrew Mariman & Todd E. Swenson |
Check for updates throughout the day
Posted 2:25 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 3 -- Heavy snow caused the roof of a building at 651 Market St., to collapse early Sunday. American Excavation was on the scene at noon, waiting for the phone company to take down the line on Elm Street alongside the building. Pacific Power Company had already cut electricity to the building. There was concern because of a hazardous wall in danger of collapse, which could take out two poles and the line.
The building was currently being leased with an option to buy by Dan and Ann Cavanaugh, owners of Smith-Bates Printing. It was the former location of Graphic Press and was being used for storage. It still had a few pieces of equipment in it, according to Greg Brosterhous, who was keeping the Cavanaughs advised and checking the snow load on their former location at 130 S. Fifth St. Smith-Bates Printing business recently moved to 537 Northern Heights Blvd., the former Cell Tech headquarters.
Posted 2:15 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 3 -- How much snow is in your backyard? We're looking for snow measurements from around the region. If you have a measurement, please post it in the comments section below, along with a description of where it was taken. Pick an accurate spot (try to avoid the hill where you pointed your snowblower, for instance). If we get enough responses, we'll print them in tomorrow's paper.
Posted 10:20 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 3 -- The National Weather Service is predicting a break in the weather today and Monday. About an inch of snow is expected Tuesday and again on Thursday. Only one of about 50 Klamath Basin observers had reported to the NWS by 10 a.m. today. A Keno observer estimated 8 to 12 inches of snow fell last night.
Posted 9:45 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 3 -- Sheriff's deputies were checking on residents snowed in without supplies in the Bly Mountain area, according to Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger. "We're trying to come up with a contingency plan on whether we need to put together food boxes for people," Evinger said. "Crucial travel only thing advisable." If people are in urgent need of supplies, they should call 911 dispatch and deputies will respond, he said, adding "Everyone's poised and ready to help.
Posted 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3 -- A sheriff's deputy and search and rescue volunteer rescued an elderly couple from a pickup truck stuck in a snow drift on Yonna Valley Road late Saturday. The rescuers used snowmobiles to located the truck, which was buried up to its cab. Motorists stuck on Crystal Springs Road Saturday night also made it out safetly, Sheriff Tim Evinger said.
Posted 10:28 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Sheriff's deputies on snowmobiles were traveling to Yonna Valley Road where an elderly couple was reportedly stranded in a vehicle, Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger reported. Snowmobiles were being used because of drifting snow.Evinger said Yonna Valley Road, like many in the area, wasn't officially closed, but was physically impassable due to drifting snow.
Posted 10:20 p.m. -- Motorists stranded on Crystal Springs Road were being rescued by private citizens using tractors, said Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger. A deputy was on the scene. Crystal Springs Road is between Highway 140 and Reeder Road.
Posted 10:15 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Highways 140, 97 and 39 in and out of Klamath Falls are open, according to Randy Bednar, assistant district manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation in Klamath Falls. "This is a big storm and we're doing the best we can to at least keep a hole punched in the middle," he said. "Stay home. It's going to take us awhile to dig out of this even once the storm gets done."
Posted 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said deputies were trying to reach at least three stranded motorists on Crystal Springs Road. Snow conditions were hampering efforts because the snowmobiles sink in the powder, he said.
Posted 9:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- OSP is turning people around on Highway 39 from Klamath Falls to Merrill at the Southside Expressway because of road conditions, according to unconfirmed reports.
Posted 8:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Steen Sports Park will be closed Sunday due to inclement weather.
Posted 7:45 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Interstate 5 southbound is closed at Exit 14 in Ashland. Traffic had been held up as ODOT crews worked to clear the Siskiyou Summit pass, and after the pass was ready to reopen at 6:30 p.m., snow conditions in California led to a full closure.
Northbound traffic is being held in Redding, but motorists in Yreka and north of the closure can get over the pass.
Posted 5:45 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Oregon Tech's basketball games are proceeding as scheduled, but fans are advised to stay home due to poor road conditions on campus. The Klamath Basin Senior Center has canceled its Saturday night bingo sessions.
Posted 5:15 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- Due to blowing snow and whiteout conditions, ODOT is asking motorists to avoid using Highway 140 eastbound from Klamath Falls. ODOT crews are engaged in clearing operations, but extreme snowfall and high winds are causing dangerous conditions on the highway.
Posted 4:45 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- More road closures have been reported north of Klamath Falls. Highway 138E from Diamond Lake Resort east to Highway 97 is closed until further notice due to snow, as is all of Highway 230.
Posted 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- A reception for artist Walt Evans scheduled for this evening at the Ross Ragland has been canceled. It will be rescheduled at a later date. Tonight's production of "Carmina Burana" at the Ross Ragland will go on as planned. It starts at 7:30 p.m.
Posted 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- A 7-mile stretch of Highway 70 between Dairy and Bonanza, which was reopened Friday, has again been closed due to severe weather conditions. Highway 62 from Fort Klamath to Crater Lake National Park, an area of 28 miles, also is closed.
Posted 1:50 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 -- As has been the case for most of the week, several Klamath Basin sporting events have been postponed, including Southern Cascade League basketball doubleheaders between Lost River and Bonanza, and Lakeview and St. Mary's. The Klamath Falls Ice Hawks' hockey game against Crater also has been postponed. Oregon Tech, however, will square off with The College of Idaho in men's and women's basketball as scheduled.
Posted Noon, Saturday, Feb. 2 -- The rumor Friday was true: You couldn't buy a snow shovel at Klamath Falls-area stores. More than 15 store managers in various department, grocery and hardware stores said they were out. Other flat shovels and spades were flying off the shelves, too.
Posted 9:40 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 -- A winter storm warning remains in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday morning to 10 a.m. Sunday for Klamath and Lake counties. Snow will become heavy at times with the strongest storm conditions between 4 p.m. and midnight. Three to 8 inches of snow today will be followed by another 3 to 8 inches tonight. Gusty westerly winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 40 mph will develop by afternoon and create periodic white-out conditions and areas of blowing and drifting snow through the night. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.
Posted 8:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 -- Recent weather conditions caused the Klamath County 911 Communications Center to be flooded with calls, said Jeanine Dilley, center director.
They have dispatched services for many minor accidents throughout the county.
“When it’s an emergency, they need to call,” she said. She, as well as several other emergency officials in Klamath and Lake counties, are urging people to stay off of the roads during snow storms.
Posted 3:25 p.m., Friday, Feb. 1 -- Highway 70 toward Bonanza has reopened, according to Oregon Department of Transportation officials.
Reopening highways 62 and 140 are ODOT current priorities in the southwestern region.
Posted 2:34 p.m., Friday, Feb. 1 -- The semi blocking Biehn's right turn lane onto Crater Lake Avenue has been cleared.
Posted 12:34 p.m., Friday, Feb. 1 -- A hot air balloon event Saturday at the Running Y Ranch Resort has been canceled because of hazardous road conditions caused by the weather, according to a press release from the resort. The event will be rescheduled in March. The Microbrew Festival is still on.
Posted 11:23 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1 -- The Henley boys basketball game at Phoenix High School has been canceled. The Henley girls game against Phoenix is also canceled.
The OIT - Eastern Oregon game is still on schedule for tonight at 7:30 at OIT.
Posted 11:15 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1 -- A stuck semi is blocking the right turn lane where Biehn intersects with Crater Lake Avenue. Police are directing traffic around the obstacle.
Posted 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1 -- Kingsley Field is closed today due to weather.
Posted 8:09 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 -- OIT classes are still on as scheduled.
Posted 7:32 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 --Chains are currently required on towing vehicles or vehicles over 10,000 GVW between mileposts 25 and 35 on Highway 140 heading toward Lakeview, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The same chain requirements are also in effect between mileposts 51 and 57 and 21 and 41 heading toward Medford.
The chain restriction between mileposts 9 and 44 on Highway 66 toward Ashland is still in effect. ODOT is still recommending limited vehicle use and for motorists to carry chains in their vehicles.
The US 97 rest area at milepost 282 near Klamath Falls has been closed because of the weather.
Posted 6:06 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 --County and city schools are closed today.
There are still road closures due to the weather. Highway 62 north and southbound between mileposts 84-90, the Highway 70 intersection with Highway 140, and Highway 140 west and eastbound between mileposts 28 and 65 are all still closed due to the weather.
Scattered snow showers today, high of 31, low of 19 this evening according to the National Weather Service.
Posted 3:05 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31 -- Basin Transit Service is taking all buses off of the road for the remainder of the day due to extreme weather conditions. Buses will not be back in service until 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1. Information about the bus stop nearest you is available by calling 883-2877.
Posted 2:45 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31 -- City plow services are being focused on arterial and collector streets first, with hospitals and emergency service roads also receiving priority. Residential areas will be attended to as resources permit.
Posted 2:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31 -- The Klamath Basin Senior Center will be closed the remainder of today and Friday, Feb. 1. Basin Transit Service will not provide bus service on Moyina Heights, Almond Street, Weyerhauser Road, Moore Park, Third Street, Daggett Avenue, California Avenue, Vandenberg Road and Springcrest Way until roads are cleared.
Posted 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31 -- Fire and emergency service agencies throughout the region are urging people to keep access to their homes and property cleared so fire, ambulance and law enforcement vehicles can get to them. The Klamath Falls Veterans Affairs outpatient Clinic is closed today because of weather and road conditions.
Highway 70 to Bonanza is closed because of weather conditions starting at the intersection with Highway 140. It is expected to remain closed until conditions improve.
Posted 10:40 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 31 -- Heavy snow drifts were reported on Highway 140 west of Lakeview because of falling and drifting snow. Chamber manager Caro Johnson said most the downtown Lakeview stores were closed.
Due to weather-related highway conditions, the Lake County Winter Quilt Festival and Vintage Tablecloth Show, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds has been canceled.
Reader Comments
THATSFUNNY!!! wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:43 AM:
I shovel my side walks and the side walks on both sides of my house because the people are old and need help so the get help.
Do I then need to the turn my worn out shovel to the city streets? I PAY TAXES and that money PAYS for those things to get DONE.
Look, I can be fined for not keeping my lawn mowed, weeds pulled, sidewalks shoveled. How is it justifiable for me, a tax payer to be treated this way and then have the city and county road departments totally drop the ball on snow removal..causing dozens of accidents..road clousers..clousers of city offices....and who is going to fine them? My tax dollars are being abused by these clowns and until people call foul and do something about it..they will continue to abuse my and your money and it will fund some other clowns wages to inspect your lawn to see if it is over 8" tall. For anyone who does not see these things as REAL PROBLEMS then I wonder how the wether is in cotton candy land were you must live. "
Angel wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:58 PM:
Angel wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:51 PM:
Pam wrote on Feb 7, 2008 6:45 PM:
Thank you!!!! "
idaho too wrote on Feb 7, 2008 6:26 PM:
Glad your paying attention to what idaho people say, and do. Wish the rest of the people in K-Falls would do that. The only thing you were wrong about in your last comment was that it sucks in IDAHO. To me, it sounds like you are a Government man. Remember what we do to G-men in this state? I just have one question for you. What do you think the local (practical thinking) people from your community think about you. "
JC wrote on Feb 7, 2008 4:53 PM:
SM wrote on Feb 7, 2008 3:17 PM:
Idaho wrote on Feb 7, 2008 2:40 PM:
RUKIDDING wrote on Feb 7, 2008 8:20 AM:
This goes for all of our county and city offices...If you dont care what you get for your tax dollars..they sure wont.
It's time to hold some folk accountable. If you dont..dont expect change. "
jaa wrote on Feb 7, 2008 7:50 AM:
It should go without saying that any city owned vehicle capable of plowing shall
not operate without engaging the plow.
I mean ... were buying the fuel
and city services .
does anyone know exactly who may be
contacted ...? "
pril wrote on Feb 7, 2008 5:16 AM:
Angel wrote on Feb 6, 2008 8:33 PM:
Angel wrote on Feb 6, 2008 5:31 PM:
Angel wrote on Feb 6, 2008 5:15 PM:
outraged wrote on Feb 6, 2008 9:25 AM:
The issue as they say, is with the lack of planning to deal with the amount of snow.
The H&N has reported that this has happened before (snow amounts) so for those who plan, this should have been a real consideration and a plan developed to effectively deal with it.
Our roads are a rutted disasted and the road departments are to blame.
I think it is understandable for a tax payer to be totally disgusted with the situation and demand accoutability.
Effective snow removal cannot happen with vehicles parked on the sides of most of our city streets. How do you solve the problem? ban parking on those streets period.
As it is now with vehicles parked on the sides of the streets even when there is no snow..it would be difficult if not impossable for a fire or emergency vehicle to pass through.
Who would be to blame if the fire truck could not reach the fire? Could you just write it off the "weather"? NO.
Tax payers will never get their monies worth as long as they accept the shotty performance of those in charge. "
Blanche wrote on Feb 6, 2008 8:39 AM:
Perhaps TP would be so kind as to share their Master Plan as to how this could have been handled better.
To me, waiting until it snows, calling in all available personnel and equipment and then putting both to the work seems like a pretty good plan.
Hint to Taxpayer: More ideas, less crying.
Thoughtfully yours,
Blanche
"
tax payer wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:34 PM:
The PROBLEM is the lack of planning or maybe it should be called an "emergancy reaction plan for server snow fall"
I have seen lots of people working their tails off and being paid a kings ransom for theeir efforts.
The folks directing the effort should be drawn and quartered. "
city worker wrote on Feb 5, 2008 2:04 PM:
being demanding doenst help these days. "I want my street plowed NOW. I wasn't nice about either...."
remember..what goes around will come around.
we are all in your same situation. we all pay taxes. being mad doesnt help either.
they will come and clear your street sooner or later.
thanks.
-your city worker. aka the guy whos plowing all of your roads.
ps. thank you for all of the people who understand out there. "
Pam wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:43 AM:
and when the snow plows showed up around 1:00p.m. they plowed the roads and then cleared our driveways. I must say, I was completely floored. So ... if your driveways are blocked, try to get out there and ask them to clear it. They will, we didn't even have to ask. The driver saw that there was about 35 people out and he said he'd come back to clear our driveways.
I was so mad that my street wasn't being cared for but, I called and as the saying goes "The squeeky wheel gets the grease". "
driveway snow shoveler wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:39 AM:
Thanks "
TOOFUNNY wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:57 AM:
Picture that...An office full of city engineers that has to close because the roof might fail... HELLO..Your ENGINEERS...At what point did it click in your engineer brain that it's snowing and that snow = weight, too much weight..NO GOOD?
Another bright spot in our city offices.. "
Trisha wrote on Feb 5, 2008 6:54 AM:
tickets wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:54 PM:
Madriver wrote on Feb 4, 2008 3:05 PM:
taxpayer wrote on Feb 4, 2008 1:48 PM:
Yup ,we have a bunch of snow, more than normal and plans should have been made for the several diffrent types of winters that we can have here, but alas..NO This disgusting display of planning exposes those in charge for what they are..OR should be..UNEMPLOYEED!
So, Jump off your self appointed moral high ground and snap into reality.. "
Blanche wrote on Feb 4, 2008 1:26 PM:
Kaysee D. wrote on Feb 4, 2008 12:18 PM:
Kristi wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:30 AM:
taxpayer wrote on Feb 4, 2008 7:28 AM:
I pay my taxes...it's the job of the city ,county road depts to plow the roads using those dollars.
Yup, I will sit in my warm house and complain... as long as I am not getting what my tax dollars pay for.
I wonder what the budget for snow removal WAS vs what it is really going to cost.
I think we all know that the people doing the plowing are working hard and are making tons of money in the process.
To this point I have not heard of anyone being forced into a truck at gun point.
As mentioned SEVERAL times...It's the total LACK of planning that has most people upset.
Those who have the job of planning should be replaced. I cant think of any other job where a person could perform so poorly and keep thier job. Shameful. "
pril wrote on Feb 4, 2008 5:47 AM:
KMHS wrote on Feb 3, 2008 8:33 PM:
joyce wrote on Feb 3, 2008 7:15 PM:
Lyn wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:50 PM:
OIT Student wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:44 PM:
Rosemary wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:15 PM:
JPD wrote on Feb 3, 2008 1:51 PM:
B wrote on Feb 3, 2008 12:23 PM:
JD wrote on Feb 3, 2008 8:00 AM:
herschel wrote on Feb 2, 2008 10:22 PM:
WOW wrote on Feb 2, 2008 7:41 PM:
"
Me wrote on Feb 2, 2008 5:49 PM:
jm wrote on Feb 2, 2008 2:52 PM:
plowing right to the driveways of senor
and disabled,if the older generation have
any problems ,how can use our cars,
some of us are on medication,and snow
cleanup is not easy job. cannot get out.
"
Anonymous wrote on Feb 2, 2008 1:28 PM:
I would like people to know that there are a handful of workers keeping the campus clear of snow and have been working throughout the night and have to continue working through the day because the administration refuses to let them go home. This is a money issue. Keeping the campus open is also a money issue. While the administration should be held accountable for putting the students' lives in danger, please be grateful for the hard work the workers are doing at the same time. "
John wrote on Feb 2, 2008 11:57 AM:
Good timing with folks waiting on checks the 1st. "
kmhs wrote on Feb 2, 2008 6:33 AM:
Ted wrote on Feb 1, 2008 10:38 PM:
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE wrote on Feb 1, 2008 8:49 PM:
BUT THANK YOU H&N FOR PUTTING UP ALL OF THESE UPDATES. IM ON THE WEBSITE MORE THEN EVER. "
Anonymous wrote on Feb 1, 2008 4:17 PM:
stuckathomeduetothesnow wrote on Feb 1, 2008 3:48 PM:
P.S. Thanks to the people behind the steering wheel. Drop the blade once-in-awhile, it will make people think you are working. "
PAID wrote on Feb 1, 2008 3:10 PM:
What you need to think about is the amount of overtime pay, time and a half, dbl time pay that they are pulling in. Yeah, thier laughing all the way to the bank because the city and county refuse to remember that 5 month of the year we have winter and that plans require looking at the worst that could happen..not playing the game of "I think we will have a mild winter" so lets not budget for a bad winter..lets put the funds someplace else and hope for a mild winter and then try to find the funds when it's too late.
Yeah, I dont feel sorry for a person who agrees to do a job at an agreed wage and then has to do it....IT'S CALLED A JOB AND IF THEY DONT WANT TO DO IT, YOU CAN BET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF UNEMPLOYEED FOLKS THAT WOULD LOVE THE JOB AND BE THANKFUL TO HAVE IT! "
Thanks wrote on Feb 1, 2008 2:26 PM:
It isn't the men and women in the snowplows fault that the city was unprepared. They are working long hours with little thanks.
If it weren't for them, we'd all be stuck at home.
"
Displeased wrote on Feb 1, 2008 1:21 PM:
whoshouldbereading wrote on Feb 1, 2008 9:28 AM:
My gut feeling is that they could care less and are counting money and talking about increasing taxes because they have been caught with their pants down. "
Kevin wrote on Jan 31, 2008 4:11 PM:
anonamous wrote on Jan 31, 2008 4:08 PM:
B.E. wrote on Jan 31, 2008 3:49 PM:
Mindy wrote on Jan 31, 2008 2:03 PM:
Nikola V. wrote on Jan 31, 2008 12:38 PM:
"
snow removal wrote on Jan 31, 2008 12:28 PM:
If they spent more time doing rather than telling others what to do.. everyone would be better off. "
Runoff wrote on Jan 31, 2008 11:15 AM:
Caught wrote on Jan 31, 2008 9:20 AM:
YOU PLAN FOR THE WORST AND HOPE FOR THE BEST, NOT PLAN FOR THE BEST AND HOPE FOR THE WORST.
Someone will be hurt or killed and you can bet that a factor in that will be the lack of snow removal or that the City or county snow removal crews put snow in a location that did not allow a driver to safely cross a road and their view of traffic was obstructed by your snow pile. This will more than likley result in a law suit. "
Editor wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:46 AM:




Angel wrote on Feb 8, 2008 10:49 AM: