Winter Weather Preparedness and Resources

Get ready for winter weather! Our City crews take regular maintenance and preparedness measures to ensure we are always ready and ask that you do the same to prepare yourselves and your home to help ride out any storms this winter as comfortably as possible. Our experienced Public Works crews will be out deicing and plowing as necessary.

If you have to travel during inclement weather, check out our inclement weather driving routes to find the safest routes and know where to expect closures. Please obey all posted closures. We ask that community members please limit driving as much as possible or consider staying safely at home when road conditions are expected to be icy, snowy or hazardous.

Updated weather forecast here

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Get Prepared

• Clean out any storm drainage structures on or near your property, including gutters and catch basins to ensure proper drainage. 
• Pick up free sand and sandbags (bring your own shovel) at our sandbag sites at Willamette Park and Old Bolton Fire Station.
• Get familiar with West Linn's Inclement Weather routes so you know which roads are likely to be closed and which primary routes will be better maintained for winter travel if you have essential travel needs. 
• Check out this comprehensive Winter Weather Guide to learn about actions you can take before and during a winter storm to stay safe. Information is available regarding warming centers, power outages, carbon monoxide poisoning, frostbite, hypothermia, shelter, preparation kits, PublicAlerts, weather monitoring, staying warm, helping neighbors, depression/anxiety, and more. Pro-tip:  when anticipating a power outage leave some large bottles/milk jugs filled with ice in your freezer to save your frozen food (make some to move to your fridge too).
• Protect your pipes from freezing with some of our Winter Water Tips and watch this short video with step-by-step instructions. 
• Prepare for power outages
• Read the Oregon Winter Driving Guide. Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, chains, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Keep a full tank of gas. 
• Sign up for Clackamas County PublicAlerts (text/phone/email emergency notifications affecting imminent life and health safety in West Linn and around the County)
• Sign up for West Linn's FlashAlerts (urgent communications regarding closures and impacts to City services) 
• Watch the City's social media channels for updated information (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

City Preparedness

• City crews are prepared and ready, with on-call staff available 24/7 for emergency operations.
• We are actively monitoring weather reports and meeting with weather experts and emergency management personnel on upcoming storm events.
• Our de-icing, plowing and sanding equipment is at the ready at our Public Works Operations Yard: 
  • 4 trucks with plows and sanders
  • 2 pickups with plows and deicer tanks
  • 1 pickup with plow and sander
  • Frontend Loader with Ice Breaker
  • 8,000 gallons of de-icer
  • 400 tons of sanding rock
• During weather events, staff patrol the City making safety determinations about which roads to close. Please follow all posted signage. 

Warming Shelters

• Our West Linn Public Library and Adult Community Center are only warming shelters during regular operating hours, hours may be extended for special circumstances during extreme or widespread power outages. Clackamas County also offers a listing of several other Local Warming Centers, some of which offer overnight services. 

During a Storm Event

• Find emergency contact information
• Know the Inclement Weather Snow Routes
• Use TripCheck.com for area road conditions and cameras. Only travel for essential purposes. 
• During a power outage
  • Review PGE Outages & Safety Information
  • Don't use propane, gas, or other heaters or cooking devices that are designed for outdoor use inside--they can cause poisoning or death from carbon monoxide. 
• Check on vulnerable neighbors and get them the help or resources they need.