This story was updated at 3:15 p.m. Jan. 15, 2023 with new information on cancellations.
With Philomath already covered in ice and daily activities grinding to a halt, the National Weather Service has issued a second ice storm warning for Tuesday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Several cancellations have occurred related to the challenging conditions. The Philomath School District canceled all classes for Tuesday. High school sporting events that had been scheduled for Tuesday were also canceled, which includes a home swim meet and girls basketball at Pleasant Hill.
The city of Philomath opted to close City Hall Tuesday with Police Committee and Planning Commission meetings postponed until a later date. Benton County announced that its offices would be closed as well. Also, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system, which includes Philomath Community Library, announced all sites will be closed Tuesday.
Other events called off include Monday night’s Moonlight Country Mixer at Marys River Grange and Tuesday’s GriefShare support group and the Community Meal at College United Methodist Church.
According to the National Weather Service alert, which covers central and southern portions of Willamette Valley, there could be total ice accumulations of two-tenths to four-tenths of an inch, except around one-tenth of an inch above 2,500 feet.
“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice,” the NWS reports. “Travel could be difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.”
The skies have cleared with sunshine Monday but the temperatures remain cold with a forecasted high of 30 during the day and a low of 13 at night. Tuesday’s forecast shows a high of 31 with cloudy skies and freezing rain likely in the afternoon. Tuesday night, a mix of rain and freezing rain with a low of around 30 is predicted. The area will warm up Wednesday with a high of around 50.
The ice storm has made travel difficult not only in the Philomath area but around the state. For example, several crashes have occurred on Interstate 5, including south of Eugene overnight Sunday that significantly slowed and congested traffic.
In that situation, the Oregon Department of Transportation reported that vehicles spun out of control, crashed and lost traction Sunday night through that stretch of northbound I-5 in southern Lane County. The situation “blocked the interstate for hours, causing a backup of traffic stopped on the highway. ODOT crews and Oregon State Police needed to awaken drivers sleeping in their cars between midnight and 3 a.m. Monday and there were off-ramp backups of vehicles heading for fuel stations.”
ODOT crews have been plowing, using de-icer and sanding packed ice and snow on roads, the agency said. But the effectiveness of those measures have been limited with extremely low temperatures, especially for vehicles without chains, officials added.
“Consider delaying your travel until later this week if possible,” ODOT advised. “If you must travel, be prepared for conditions as difficult as the weekend. Even areas where snow and ice began to melt in the daytime, overnight lows are expected to refreeze it Monday and Tuesday nights.”