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City of West Linn Winter Weather Update
[Storm cleanup]
UPDATED - 2/18/21 - 9:30pm
HIGHWAY 43 CLOSURE - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Highway 43 from Hidden Springs to McKillican will be closed from 9am-11pm, Friday, February 19th as part of a coordinated effort to swiftly clear trees and restore power in this area that was hit hard by the storm. WLPD and LOPD will staff closures at both ends. Local residents, Trimet, and emergency vehicles will have access. Read the full statement from ODOT here.
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Portland General Electric (PGE) has created a new restoration website to help keep customers updated on their progress. PGE has 11 crews actively working in West Linn. Though PGE still remains unable to provide detailed estimates of power restoration for our area due to the extensive nature of this historic storm and the fact that West Linn was hit particularly hard, they are making progress which can be viewed at this site. We know much of West Linn still remains without power, which is especially challenging given the cold weather.
PGE held a press conference on Wednesday and Thursday to provide an update on the extensive work they are doing to restore power. This historic storm has created circumstances PGE has not faced before, but they have over 3,000 people currently working to restore your power. Power must be restored to each piece of PGE's system from larger transmission lines and substations, to feeder and distribution lines, to get power to your home. Facilities such as hospitals, long-term care buildings, water treatment plants, and other critical services also have to be prioritized. PGE understands the need for information on when residential power will be restored, but the dynamic nature of this storm has made it very difficult to predict full restoration. Trees and debris are still falling, which creates hazardous conditions for their crews, however they will not quit until power has been restored to every customer.
Never touch downed power lines or anything coming in contact with fallen lines. Please refrain from walking beneath damaged overhead equipment, lines or wires. If you see a downed power line, keep everyone away and immediately call PGE at 503-464-7777.
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If you or someone you know needs assistance please visit Clackamas County's Storm Resource website or 211info.org . Clackamas County is staffing Storm Resource Centers with charging stations, essentials such as blankets, batteries, flashlights, meals, and snacks.
Oregon City High School will also be a Storm Resource Center on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 18-19, from 10 am-4 pm.
Phone resources:
911 for emergency, life threatening help
211 for caring, expert help
Clackamas County's help center 503-655-8224
Aging and Disability Resource Connection 503-650-5622
West Linn non-emergency 503-635-0238 (if you have a friend, relative or neighbor you would like law enforcement to check on)
Mayor Walters declared a state of emergency for West Linn dated February 16, 2021. This action allows us to access County, State, and Federal sources of assistance that may be available for cleanup and rebuilding from this ice storm. It also underlines our ability to take measures to close streets, facilities, and parks if needed, and it allows us to take other measures necessary to protect life and property.
As tempting as it is to stay out of the cold, please do not use generators, camping stoves, barbeques or any other kinds of gas or fuel powered devices indoors. These devices create carbon monoxide gas which is invisible and odorless and can lead to lack of consiousness and death. More on carbon monoxide.
Please continue to check-in with neighbors who may be without heat or power, and share resources with one another if possible.
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TREE AND STORM DEBRIS CLEANUP
The recent snow and ice storm has caused unprecedented damage across the entire City of West Linn. City staff and multiple contract crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to clean debris and fallen trees from public right of ways, as well as private property. Due to the widespread impact of damage, we ask for your patience as it will likely take staff an extensive amount of time to clean and repair damages.
City crews are continuing to clear roads and assess and remove damaged street trees in the public right of way. Unsafe roads with downed power lines and trees will remain closed until they are safe to open. PGE must clear downed power and communications lines of downed trees before City crews can remove trees. First priority will be clearing roads to ensure safe passage on City streets.
Residential debris removal from private property:
Roadside debris pick up. If you have tree debris that will not fit in your yard debris bin, we ask that you please move the limbs and branches to the edge of the street and the City will arrange for pick-up. City crews must be able to pick up the debris using equipment from the roadway. Crews and equipment cannot access or drive onto private driveways or property.
No debris in streets. We ask that you please do not put debris in the street and do not block any driveways, roads, sidewalks or other access points. Blowing or sweeping of debris into the street is not permitted.
Highway 43 debris. Please do not place piles of debris on or along Highway 43/Willamette Drive. Highway 43 is ODOT maintained and City crews do not have the ability or authority to access or provide clean-up operations along that roadway; refer to AskODOT for assistance with Hwy 43 issues.
Tree debris limitations. Tree debris should only include large branches and plant material that residents are able to move themselves to the curb without mechanical assistance, please arrange for removal of larger tree sections with a private contractor or by other means. Trees must be free of trash and rocks. No landscape waste, large tree stumps, treated wood (telephone poles, railroad ties), demolition debris, concrete, hazardous waste or household garbage.
Schedule. We do not have a schedule for when pickup will occur as this is an evolving process, but will provide updates as they are available. As previously mentioned, this will be slow clean-up process that could take well over a month. We do anticipate more than one pick up to ensure we reach everyone.
Private cleanup. Homeowners and HOAs that wish for debris to be cleaned up from the public right of way sooner are welcome to utilize private contractors at their own expense.
Street Tree Removal Permit. If you need to remove a street tree that has been damaged by the storm we ask that you please complete a Tree Removal Permit Form. Follow the directions and email it into the city so that we have a record of what trees have been removed. Documentation and photos are important to the recovery process.
Insurance. Homeowners should contact their insurance provider for storm damage, including tree removal.
Hire a tree care professional for safe and efficient post-storm work, hire a tree care professional to safely take down or prune damaged trees. Additionally, contractors should carry liability insurance.
Backyard burning is not permitted inside the DEQ Burn Ban Boundary which includes the City of West Linn.
All City parks are closed to the public until further notice. West Linn Parks are full of trees that pose hazardous conditions until staff can trim and clear debris.
Never touch downed power lines or anything coming in contact with fallen lines. Please refrain from walking beneath damaged overhead equipment, lines or wires. If you see a downed power line, keep everyone away and immediately call PGE at 503-464-7777. Trees, limbs, and debris are expected to continue dropping over the next few days. Please use extreme caution under or around any trees and power lines.
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WATER RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON 2/17/21
On Saturday, February 13, the City asked residents to use water sparingly due to power restoration uncertainty. West Linn's water supply provider, South Fork Water Board in Oregon City, has power fully restored as of Tuesday night (2/16) and the water restrictions have been lifted. Residents may go back to regular usage of water supply. Thank you to everyone for helping to conserve water during the power outage. Your tap water is safe to drink and remains to meet all state and federal regulations. There is no need to boil your water as the City has maintained positive pressure within the water system.
