The 63-year-old woman who was found dead at the base of a cliff near Horsetail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge has been identified as Terina Kaye Chapman. Officials clarified that she was 63, not 61 as originally thought. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has notified her next of kin.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Portland metro area, with the possibility of low elevation snow Wednesday night into Thursday morning, particularly impacting areas north and east of Interstate 205 and elevations above 500 feet. The Columbia River Gorge and Cascades will also experience significant snowfall and strong winds, with snow totals ranging from 4 to 8 inches in the Gorge and up to 18 inches in the Cascades. Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Columbia River Gorge and Cascades in Oregon and SW Washington, with forecasts of 1 to 2 feet of snow in the Cascades and 3-15 inches in the Gorge, along with gusty winds up to 50 mph. Travel on I-84 may become difficult, and power outages and downed tree branches are expected in windy areas near the Gorge.
A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall to the Cascades and Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday and Thursday, leading to tough travel conditions over the mountain passes and the potential for significant snow accumulation on Mt. Hood. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the area, with snowfall expected to continue through Thursday and the possibility of light snow accumulations and freezing rain in the Columbia River Gorge. Travelers are advised to stay updated on the forecast and be prepared for snow-packed roadways and difficult travel conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued an ice storm warning for the upper Hood River Valley and the western and central Columbia River Gorge, with up to an inch of snow and three-quarters of an inch of ice expected, along with wind gusts as high as 45 mph. The warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday until 4 p.m. Sunday, with affected cities including Parkdale, Odell, Corbett, Rooster Rock, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, and Hood River in Oregon, as well as North Bonneville, Stevenson, Carson, and Underwood in Washington. Travel is strongly discouraged, and residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages and hazardous road conditions.
The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened a 47-mile stretch of Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge after a 31-hour closure due to icy conditions. Large vehicles and those towing are required to use chains, and road crews will continue to plow and spread sand, salt, and deicer on the freeway. However, another round of winter weather is expected, so travelers should stay updated on the forecast and driving restrictions.
After a brief warm-up, the metro area will experience another blast of east wind on Thursday, bringing freezing rain to parts of the eastern/central metro area. The Columbia River Gorge will continue to be affected by easterly winds, leading to icy conditions and potential road closures. Dry weather is expected on Friday, with a possibility of freezing rain in the metro area on Saturday.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has closed I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge due to unsafe conditions caused by freezing rain and strong winds, with potential accumulation of around half an inch of ice. ODOT emphasizes the treacherous nature of driving in icy conditions and advises travelers to stay off the road to allow their crews to work. The closure is expected to last until the roads are deemed safe again, and travelers are encouraged to wait out the weather in the safe location of Troutdale.
University of Oregon researchers have detailed how magma and water have shaped the iconic Columbia River Gorge, revealing that prolonged upwelling of magma beneath the earth's crust bent the river channel and pushed up cliffs and peaks, while water carved a deep channel between them. The study shows that the movement of magma, rather than other tectonic forces, explains the uplift, and that magma is still influencing the landscape today, with a pool of molten magma lying beneath the gorge. This research sheds light on the geological history of the gorge and its surrounding landscape.
The recent atmospheric river in Oregon has resulted in heavy rainfall, causing flooding and creating impressive waterfall views along the Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Horsetail Falls are among the waterfalls that have been particularly spectacular, with visitors getting soaked even after the rain had stopped.
The number of firefighters battling the Tunnel Five Fire in the Columbia River Gorge has nearly doubled to 372, with resources including engines, crews, helicopters, and air tankers. The fire, which started on Sunday, is currently at 5 percent containment and has destroyed 10 residences while threatening 250 others. Gusty westerly winds will pose a challenge for firefighters throughout the week. Evacuation orders remain in place, and State Highway 14 is closed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Tunnel Five Fire in the Columbia River Gorge is now 5% contained and has grown slightly overnight, reaching over 530 acres. More than 250 homes and structures have been threatened, and a Level 3 evacuation order remains in place. State Highway 14 is closed, and the area is under a Red Flag warning. Fire crews are working to protect homes and establish fire lines, with helicopters and air tankers assisting. The fire is believed to be human-caused, and federal funds have been authorized to aid firefighting efforts.
The Tunnel 5 wildfire in Skamania County, Washington, has destroyed at least 10 homes and prompted evacuation orders for around 1,000 people. The fire, which started near several homes, grew rapidly overnight and is expected to continue growing due to hot and windy conditions. Approximately 250 more homes are in danger, along with 15 businesses and numerous other structures. Firefighters are focusing on defending structures and helicopters are being used to dump water from the nearby Columbia River. The fire has also forced the evacuation of 70 Girl Scouts at Camp Arrowhead.
A 533-acre wildfire in the Columbia River Gorge has led to road closures and evacuations. State Highway 14 is closed in both directions, and travelers are advised to use Interstate 84 as a detour. The fire, which started on Sunday, is 0% contained and has resulted in the loss of several structures. Evacuation orders have been issued for a 2-mile perimeter around the fire, impacting around 1,000 residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to assist with firefighting costs. A boil water order has also been issued in Underwood due to a loss of pressure in the water system.
New fast-growing wildfires have prompted evacuations on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge and along the Oregon Coast. The Tunnel5 brush fire near Underwood in southeast Skamania County, Washington, has grown to about 125 acres and is threatening around 100 structures. Additionally, Lincoln County in Oregon issued evacuations after an active fire was reported along Highway 101, but the evacuations were later canceled. Highway 101 may remain closed for a few hours.