PORTLAND, Ore. -- It was a December to remember in Portland.

The "Arctic Blast" that hit the northwest during the final month of 2008 brought a five-day stretch of sub-freezing temperatures, as well as a December-record 18.9 inches of snowfall.

The snowfall total at Portland's airport eclipsed the previous record set forty years ago. December also marked the second-snowiest month in Portland's recorded history, bested only by the remarkable 41 inches of snow that fell on the Rose City in January, 1950.

The Arctic Blast also brought the Metro area the whitest Christmas ever. Portland easily topped its previous record of one inch of snow on the ground on Christmas Day.

Storm cuts power, claims lives

During the peak of the storm, about 70,000 PGE customers were without electricity.

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Snow caused multiple crashes on Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy in Portland.

The communities of Gresham and Vernonia were among those hardest hit, and the National Guard was called in to provide assistance.

In Portland, Mayor-elect Sam Adams said the city spent about $2 million on de-icing, plowing and overtime.

Clackamas County, Columbia and Multnomah Counties received state of emergency declarations from Governor Kulongoski.

The storm also claimed several lives. In Amity, a man died after being struck by a sledder. In Gresham, a couple died accidentally from inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from their idling car.

The storm also rallied the community, with neighbors helping neighbors, and inspiring acts of heroism, like the Gresham toddler rescued from deep snow by emergency workers.

Homeward bound

Travelers trying to leave Portland International Airport during the peak of the storm encountered long delays and hundreds of flights were canceled, forcing some to sleep overnight at the airport. TriMet Red Line service to the airport was also cut off for several days. More: Flights resume after holiday chaos

Snow weighs down region

Heavy, wet snow caused widespread damage, especially to trees, flat roofs and at area boat marinas.

Tamara Hickok

Snow toppled these trees onto a car and house in Portland.

In Scappoose, heavy snow caused the roof over McCuddy's Marina to collapse on boats.

Elsewhere, carports collapsed, homeowners scrambled to remove heavy snow from roofs, and trees also fell on some homes and cars.

  More; Protecting your roof

In Washington County, and in the West Hills, many streets remained impassable to even emergency vehicles many days after the main snow event.

  Road closures | Weather near you? | All closures

Transit troubles

TriMet worked hard to get buses back to normal schedules after a week of weather-induced disruptions. TriMet passengers were urged to check the Web site for the latest schedules.

Inconvenience...or fun?

For kids out of school and those who didn't have to go to work or drive, the extended snow break provided a rare opportunity to enjoy a Winter Wonderland in the Rose City.

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Local schools were closed for up to five days, making time for snow play.

 Slideshows:

Oregon Coast slammed

Car slide pileup

Aerial view of Portland

Best viewer snow pics

Pets in snow

All slideshows

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More: KGW Twitter Updates

Ski areas rejoice

Ski areas that had been languishing with bare ground since before Thanksgiving found themselves with a new problem - could skiers get to the slopes? By the end of the Arctic Blast, all Oregon ski areas were open, with an ample snow base.

 More: Ski Report