Most current information on the continued snowstorm response and after effects (updated at 10:00 a.m, March 2nd).
POWER OUTAGE UPDATES
Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) and contract crews made significant progress restoring power to customers Friday, turning the lights back on for more than 1,000 customers.
Starting with more than 14,000 customers out of service on Monday, fewer than 2,500 remained without service as of 6 p.m. Friday. In the Eugene area, around 800 customers scattered across the city are still waiting for restoration, along with about 1,700 McKenzie River residents.
Four full crews, three assessment teams and several tree crews worked in the McKenzie River area Friday, where damage from the snow storm and falling trees is most severe. The upriver work focused on repairing damaged transmission and feeder lines. In Eugene, 11 full crews worked throughout the city to repair the electric system and made substantial progress.
On Saturday, EWEB is shifting the bulk of resources to the McKenzie River area to restore those customers as quickly as possible. Several crews will remain in Eugene to continue working on the remaining service restorations in town.
A list of crew work locations will be updated daily and can be found at eweb.org.
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Emerald People’s Utility District (EPUD) crews headed out Saturday morning after restoring power to around 1000 customers on Friday. 3,400 EPUD customers are still without power, but additional crews from other agencies have joined the effort. EPUD customers still dealing with downed lines are asked to contact the company again at 541-746-1583, or online with smarthub at www.epud.org or with the smarthub app.
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In Roseburg, Pacific Power crews continue to make steady progress through rough terrain to assess damage and make repairs. Electricity to approximately 3,500 customers was restored throughout Friday, bringing the number of customers still without power down to fewer than 3,800 as of 5:30 p.m. Friday. More information at Pacific Power.
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Lane Electric crews continue to work on outages in their service territory. They report as many as 5,000 are still without power and may be for several more days. More information at Lane Electric.
TRANSPORTATION
After being closed for almost 5 full days, highway 58 re-opened Friday night. Travelers are reminded to be prepared for winter driving conditions in that area.
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Highway 138 is also open after 5 days of closures and drivers should slow down and be cautious as workers continue to clear trees and debris from the side of the road. Flaggers will provide traffic control in that area as needed.
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US-101 is still closed 12 miles north of Brookings due to a landslide that caused the road surface to collapse earlier this week.
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The Eugene Public Works Department has lifted the snow/ice emergency ban on parking along snow routes. Improved conditions have resulted in bare, but wet pavement in many parts of the city. Portions of many streets, especially those in the south hills, remain snow-covered and slippery. People driving are cautioned that patches of ice could be widespread overnight and early mornings for the next few days with the lower overnight temperatures.
The Public Works Department declared a winter weather emergency on Monday, February 26, because of the winter storm that blanked the area in snow and made roads impassable.
Crews have plowed all priority routes. The City is not plowing streets that are not included in the priority snow routes. Eugene residents can assist in the cleanup by reporting damaged city street trees or other street problems to the Public Works department at 541-682?4800.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Earlier this week Lane County opened a non-emergency inquiry line to address resident questions and concerns about the snowstorm response. Due to a lower volume of calls, hours have been slightly reduced. They are taking calls Saturday between 9 am and 2 pm. That number is 541-682-3977.
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With so many area residents still without power Saturday, McKenzie Fire and rescue continues to operate a warming center at the Leaburg fire station and has a water filling station, heat and coffee for residents who can safely travel to that location.
A warming station has been established at the upper McKenzie fire station.
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The Egan warming centers are activating Saturday, March 2nd and are on standby for Sunday, March 3rd.
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The Eugene YMCA is open to those who need to charge phones, stay warm, or get a hot shower. Entrance is free and no membership is required. Check Eugene ymca.org for specifics.
In Springfield, Willamalane park and recreation is offering similar services for those area residents without power and heat. The swim center across from McKenzie-Willamette hospital will also be open for showers today. Call Willamalane for specific times.
CLOSURES
After being closed since Monday, February 26th, Lane Community College’s Eugene campus is open Saturday, March 2nd. Florence & Cottage Grove centers remain closed.
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The Lane County Parks Department is keeping Howard Buford Recreation Area (Mt. Pisgah) closed this weekend and into the near future. An assessment was conducted of most of the trails and it is determined there are numerous downed trees and hazardous hanging branches on the trails. Also, there are down power lines on some trails.
McKenzie River parks and boat ramps are also not accessible to the public due to the deep snow and tree hazards.
Baker Bay is not currently accessible due to the deep snow and downed trees.
The parks department is urging people to please stay away until the parks can be made safe and reopened.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY INFORMATION
City of Drain water customers are asking to ration water usage until further notice. Power outages and pump issues continue to affect the water system.
