CORBETT, Ore. — While much of the Portland Metro has finally thawed out, places like the Gorge and the Hood River Valley are still dealing with the winter weather. An ice storm hit both locations over the weekend, bringing another layer of ice to the streets, cars, trees and homes.
Highway 30 heading out to the Vista House remains closed as thick ice has not yet melted. The Oregon Department of Transportation crews were out assuring the closure signs were visible with the dense fog Monday morning. Plow crews were also hard at work attempting to clear the slick ice off the road that kept people in their homes.
“We definitely just didn't anticipate the whole city going down," said Courtney Edwards, an employee at the Corbett Country Market. "It's like the snow came and then it started to die off, but then the ice came and then it came again."
Edwards tells KGW the market stayed open throughout the entire storm. She adds they take pride in providing those essentials for local families.
“It's nice to hear how everybody is holding up,” said Edwards. “You know, as a community, this community in particular, everybody comes together to help one another which has been really nice."
While a few locals were shocked at what the storm brought to Corbett, others say they were expecting more.
“I thought it was going to be a lot worse and for a lot longer,” said Corbett resident, Ryan Martinez. “So I'm grateful that it's melting."
Tree service companies were busy going on emergency calls to help people dealing with fallen trees or those almost at their breaking point.
“There was a tree right outside where I sleep, and it was ready to go. We happened to notice it at 9 p.m., so we were able to put a chain on it and God bless Richards Tree Service,” said David Koshuba who lives in Corbett. “Those guys came out in the crazy wind, and they threw a rope on it and tied it back. They made it so it’s safe now.”
Koshuba said he was prepared for the storm but not the unexpected headaches like the tree cracking in half and swaying in the wind right outside his bedroom.
“You could see it open up and close and I mean it was opening up a lot," said Koshuba.
Corbett School District called classes off for Monday and Tuesday as crews work to fix pipes and get boilers running side buildings, according to a Facebook post from the superintendent.
The post went on to say if things go as planned students may be able to go back to school on Wednesday.
There’s a boiling water notice for 300 of the 1,800 homes within the Corbett Water District. This includes areas in Henkle, Northway, Christensen, Center, Stevens, Bell, EHCRH (west of 34300), 33904 Southeast Smith and customers west of Kimbly on Hurlburt Road.
The district wrote a message on their website to affected customers that reads, “If you are not in these areas — your water is safe to drink. When your water service returns, any water that will be used for drinking, cooking or washing food should be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. We expect the sample results to be back by Wednesday, January 24th at the earliest. We will then let you know if it is safe to stop boiling the water. As customer lines continue to thaw there may be more interruptions to service. For more information you can look at our website, corbettwater.com, our Facebook page or call the office. If you have any questions, you can reach us at 503-695-2284. Thank you for your continued patience, this has been a hard week for everyone. The water district crew has worked every day to keep your water flowing.”