City crews in Portland and Gresham are prepared for this weekend’s expected snow storm, authorities said Friday.

Photo courtesy of kgw.com viewer photo Elizabeth Currey

A Tri-Met bus spinned out near 70th Avenue and E. Burnside during a snow storm several years ago.

Portland crews applied calcium magnesium acetate to critical streets, bridges and overpasses to prevent ice from forming. They will continue to monitor areas all around the city for temperature changes, snow accumulation, and ice, with particular emphasis on known hazard areas in higher elevations on both the west and the east sides of the city.

Some Tri-Met buses were getting chained up Friday night.

Snow, rain, and high winds are expected over the next several days, with possible flooding in some areas.

More: Three storms expected

Portland has sand piles stocked at four locations around the city for crews and an additional three piles that ODOT allows the city to use. In addition, sand and sandbags are available to the general public at SE 108th and Foster, SE 111th and Harold, and SE 92nd and Holgate if there is a threat of flooding; however, current forecasts do not include a threat of Johnson Creek flooding.

In Gresham, the City's road crews are on stand by. Also, Gresham has three sanding trucks chained and loaded with sand with three back up trucks. The city also has three snow plows that are ready to hit the streets with three more in reserve as conditions change.

Preparing for Travel or Morning Commute

•Take public transit or stay home if it is too dangerous to travel.

•Check news outlets and Web sites for weather conditions before traveling; plan ahead.

•Check the City Web site for the current Snow Plow Map to see which streets receive priority for plowing and sanding. Most city streets will not be sanded or plowed because of limited resources and the need to keep certain roads open for Fire and Police response.

•Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.

•Carry chains.

•Carry an emergency kit in the car, including extra clothing if you expect to travel far.

•Check antifreeze and tire pressure.

•Siped tires are recommended instead of studs.

•Carry a windshield de-icer and be sure to de-ice each window.

•Some windshield washer fluid has a de-icer in its formula.

•If unable to park under cover, affix a beach towel or old blanket over the windshield, close both ends in doors.

•If you live in an upper elevation park your vehicle at the bottom of the hill.

•Emergency brakes can become frozen in place when they are set.

•If you must travel check Oregon's road conditions and weather forecasts at www.TripCheck.com before you leave, or call 5-1-1 (available from most cell phone service providers) for valuable travel information, updated continuously

Driving in ice, snow and low traction surfaces

•The most important technique you can use on low traction surfaces is to use the vehicle controls as smoothly as possible. On these surfaces, less is better. Do not over use the brake, gas or steering wheel and do not use them quickly.

•Modern engines do not need to worm up. The engine warms up most efficiently while it's being driven, not idling.

•Drive slowly and allow ample distance between vehicles.

•In snow, when applying brakes for a stop, shifting your transmission to neutral can help reduce sliding

•Carefully apply throttle when accelerating especially when pavement is wet or sloppy with snow, ice, leaves, gravel, etc. Never mash the gas pedal while in a turn, wait for your car to flatten out and regain stability then slowly accelerate.

•If you begin to skid on a slick surface, stay off the brakes. Using brakes does nothing but compound problems.