Winter Weather/County Closure

Check the National Weather Service or local media for updated weather information.

County Closures

Check the North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District website for closure information.

The Sheriff’s Office and 9-1-1 are available 24/7. For people in need of immediate mental health support, the Clackamas Crisis and Support Line is available 24/7 by 503-655-8585.

Warming Centers

We contract with warming centers to open the doors on nights when the National Weather Service predicts temperatures or other conditions make sleeping outdoors especially dangerous. Check current openings.

Power Outages

The combination of ice and wind may lead to power outages. Please check your power company for information related to power outages.

Never use a portable generator indoors. Read tips on using your generator safely during a power outage.

Frozen pipes

Check your pipes for damage as they thaw

If you believe that a pipe is frozen, first check if the pipe has cracked or ruptured. If the pipe is not intact, don’t attempt to thaw it until you have a plan for how you are going to fix it. Find the main shutoff valve and turn it off to reduce damage to your home.

Here's what to do if the pipe is intact:

Manually thaw the frozen pipe with an electric heating pad, blow dryer or portable space heater (never use a heat source with an open flame).
Thaw the most vulnerable places first, like near faucets. By targeting these areas first, your pipes will be less likely to burst. Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

Turn off water at the main

Shut off water at the main house valve to trap water in your home and keep pollutants out of possible drinking water. Likely locations for the house valve are the basement, near the water heater, the garage or at the curb or the meter.
For homes with a basement, the shut-off valve is likely wherever water enters the basement.
For homes without a basement, the shut-off valve is likely close to the water heater or under the kitchen sink.
If you cannot find your main house valve, call your local fire department for assistance

Storm insurance resources

Using your homeowners insurance

If your home was damaged due to the effects of winter weather, you may need to contact your insurance provider to submit a claim or ask questions about the process.

Before filing a claim, it is wise to do some research to determine if it makes financial sense to move forward with a claim. Depending on your deductible and the potential impact for future claims or the ability to receive coverage, it may not be the best choice to file a claim.

Understanding your homeowners insurance

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation provides free help for people who need to ask questions about the claims process or understand their options and protections as a consumer.

Learn more, file a complaint, or ask questions.

Legal assistance

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) provides civil legal help to low-income Oregonians through regional offices and specialized statewide hotlines and programs. Clients are not charged for legal services. The Portland regional office services Clackamas County residents.

Services include:

family law
government benefits
housing law for tenants
senior Issues
individual tax issues
discrimination based on a protected class, and other civil legal matters
free legal clinics in the areas of consumer law, bankruptcy, expungements and more.

Intake is available by phone; walk-in intake not available. On-demand interpretation services are available. Contact information and office hours.

Winter Driving Tips

Plan your travel and route

Keep yourself and others safe by planning ahead before you venture out into bad
weather.

Check the weather, road conditions, and traffic; plan to leave early if necessary.
Don’t rush! Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.
Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, even if you use a GPS system, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.
Keep your gas tank close to full, even with an electric vehicle. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or in snow, you might need more fuel to get home or keep warm.
Note: To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when stuck in snow, be sure to keep your vehicle’s exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice, run your vehicle only in the open with the windows partially down, and run it only long enough to keep warm.
Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle. If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible.

Stock your vehicle

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving tasks, such as cleaning off your windshield, as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency.

snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper
sturdy boots with traction
abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow
jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and markers
blankets for protection from the cold
cell phone with charger, water, food, toiletries, and any necessary medicine (for longer trips or when driving in lightly populated areas)

Learn what to do in a winter emergency

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, follow these safety rules.

Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself.
Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light turned on.
To avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm.

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