PORTLAND, Ore. -- Emergency officials announced Thursday morning that some of the vehicles abandoned during Wednesday's nightmare commute were being towed, starting at about 8 a.m.
Vehicles abandoned on state highways and those blocking streets in Portland were being towed first, according to the Bureau of Emergency Communications.
If your vehicle was towed from a Portland street, you can call 503-823-0044 to find how how to retrieve it. Call 503-283-5859 if your vehicle was towed from a state highway.
Portland transportation spokesman Dylan Rivera said Thursday drivers who parked legally in city meter districts have until 8 a.m. Friday to remove their vehicles, other wise they will receive parking tickets.
He advised people first and foremost to be safe, but to get those cars moved as soon as possible.
Those who went to work Wednesday and didn't head home early in the afternoon probably wished they had by the time the evening commute began.
The Willamette Valley's second snow storm in a week led to metro travel times comparable to a typical Portland-to-Seattle drive.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation issued an alert Wednesday night, saying people should not drive and should stay in place.
ALERT: Multi-car crashes across Portland. Stay in place! Delay all travel. Snow turning into to ice. #pdxtst #pdxtraffic #pdx
— PDX Transportation (@PBOTinfo) December 15, 2016
The Oregon Department of Transportation warned of the traffic Armageddon earlier in the day, suggesting potential drivers "Netflix and Chill."
#Netflix and Chill sounds like a good plan tonight. Avoid driving in ❄️️#pdxtraffic #pdxtst pic.twitter.com/A8F8M8xy1W
— Oregon DOT (@OregonDOT) December 14, 2016
However, for those who ventured out into the real world, it was a long time before they got to Netflix and anything.
Interstate 205 from Clackamas to Vancouver was an estimated 150-minute drive shortly after 4 p.m. From Vancouver to Clackamas, it was an estimated 210-minute drive.
Nope. pic.twitter.com/aiwRhKCGCE
— KGW News (@KGWNews) December 15, 2016
Interstate 5 wasn't any better. Wilsonville to downtown Portland was also an estimated 210-minute drive. Salem to Portland was an estimated 260-minute drive.
I-5 N, a 3 1/2 hr drive from #Wilsonville to downtown #pdxtraffic #kgwnews pic.twitter.com/3rp4nBrlM2
— KGW Traffic (@KGWTraffic) December 15, 2016
Some of those who took an Uber home spent upwards of $100.
Uber or Lyft from downtown to the airport right now: $127.66 or $104.20 respectively. #pdxtraffic
— Elliot Njus 🚦🏠 (@enjus) December 15, 2016
And there were those drivers who just gave up altogether.
Stranded vehicle in middle lane of 26 westbound pic.twitter.com/PdH5vwO0E5
— Mike Benner (@MikeBennerKGW) December 15, 2016
Anyone who left a vehicle on the highway may not just have a ticket to contend with; there may also be a new bump or two on the vehicle Thursday morning.
Between noon Wednesday and 8 a.m. Thursday, 101 crashes were reported in Portland, according to the Bureau of Emergency Communications.
According to @911BOEC, there were 101 reported crashes between noon yesterday & 8:00 a.m. today in the City of Portland. #pdxtraffic #pdxtst pic.twitter.com/b6vZORwLeR
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) December 15, 2016