01/06/2009

Associated Press

Eastern Oregon has begun digging out from a snowstorm that brought blizzard conditions to the Grande Ronde valley.

The snowfall closed Interstate 84 overnight, but it was reopened at midday Monday, along with many other state highways.

The National Weather Service said Elgin had 10 inches of snow overnight, drifts of up to 4 feet and near zero visibility.

The snow continued Monday over much of the region, and rain was expected later in the day.

Street crews went to work in Eastern Oregon towns, but some students stayed home on extended holiday vacations as several school districts shut down.

"We'll be clearing this up for a couple of days," said Baker City Public Works Director Michelle Owen.

In La Grande, Public Works Director Norm Paullus said every piece of equipment was pressed into service to get "the loose stuff plowed. Then we'll sand."

"It's a mess," he said. "Usually we see the heavy drifting on the east side of the city, but this time, it's everywhere."

Meteorologist Joe Solomon said rain falling on the snow raised "concern that some small streams and rivers will rise rapidly."

In the western part of the state, ski area managers were assessing the blow dealt them by the closure of U.S. 26 during a crippling snowstorm in Portland.

The season had started late, and there were other problems before U.S. 26 closed from Thursday until Sunday.

There was a Dec. 27 power outage at Timberline, where December revenue fell by 50 percent compared to last year.

At Mt. Hood Skibowl in Government Camp, rentals and lessons were down.

Mt. Hood Meadows officials said the remainder of the season should be normal now that ski areas have enough snow and the holidays are over.