West PDX Today

A winter storm is predicted for the region over the next several days. The weather system will bring freezing temps, high winds, and precipitation that could lead to icy roadway and sidewalk conditions. The City of Hillsboro Public Works Department is closely monitoring the weather. Safety is our top priority when there is severe weather.

Planned Response

Ahead of the potential severe weather, City of Hillsboro crews have serviced and readied snow plows, equipment, and anti-icing solution. These steps ensure they are prepared to apply anti-icing solution, sanding, and snow plowing as needed to help prevent ice from forming and sticking to road surfaces.When inclement weather — such as snow, high winds, or freezing rain — affects travel, our Public Works crews will work quickly to treat and clear priority City roadways. Priority roadways** include main roads, roads near hospitals and schools, and roads with characteristics such as hills, dips, bridges, or curves that may make them more challenging to travel in severe weather. This includes: 

• E Main Street (from SE Baseline Street to NE Brookwood Parkway)
• NE Jackson School Road
• SE Minter Bridge Road
• NW 206th Avenue
• NE Century Boulevard
• NE 25th Avenue
• Other priority thoroughfares in the city.

Due to the number of City-maintained streets and the need to focus on main roads, crews will be unable to treat or plow residential streets. **Washington County and the Oregon Department of Transportation own and maintain other major roads within Hillsboro, such as Tualatin Valley Highway, 185th Avenue, Brookwood Parkway, Cornelius Pass Road, Evergreen Road, and Cornell Road. In addition, the City’s Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments would work together to clear and treat areas in front of public buildings and public parking lots.

Safety Tips

While Public Works Department crews are pro-actively preparing for this forecasted snow event, travelers are encouraged to prepare for winter travel: 

• Carry a vehicle emergency kit that includes an ice scraper/snowbrush, blankets, gloves, winter boots, flashlights, jumper cables, emergency lights, cell phone, and a cell phone charger.
• Check vehicle’s batteries, headlights, windshield wipers, coolants, and other systems, which can be impacted by low temperatures.
• Traction devices - including snow tires, studded tires, chains, and tire socks - are required in three snow zones within Washington County during periods of inclement weather. Visit snow-zones.com or wc-roads.com for more information on Washington County snow zones and traction devices.

When inclement weather hits, travelers can maintain their safety on Hillsboro roadways in five main ways: 

• Slow down, signal early and brake gently. Assume roads may be slick when there are freezing temperatures outside.
• Increase following and stopping distance.
• Give the city’s anti-icing trucks, snow plows, sanding trucks, and other emergency vehicles plenty of extra room to operate safely.
• If you don’t need to drive, consider staying home or using public transit.
• Keep sidewalks clear outside your home so that people can move about safely.

If extreme weather arrives and you do not need to drive, consider staying home or using public transit. Residents, businesses, and property owners are asked to keep sidewalks adjacent to their property clear from snow or ice for community members who walk or use public transit.

Original source can be found here.