The Barometer Online

Issue date: 1/6/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Cory Reed A brief bout of snow in December caused a tree to fall near the intersection of SW 30th Street and SW Washington Way.

While Portland was buried in more than 18 inches of snowfall, Corvallis was battling inclement weather of its own.

A recorded 18.9 inches of snow at the Portland airport wreaked havoc on services throughout the Willamette Valley.

"It was a big week full of aggravation," said OSU spokesman Todd Simmons.

A downed tree - on the corner of S.W. 30th Street and S.W. Washington Way - caused no damaged but briefly blocked S.W. 30th Street.

According to Simmons, the tree fell on Dec. 14 or 15.

Maintenance crews were able to saw limbs and pile them by the roadside. The tree remains in front of the Veterinary Research Lab.

During the week of Dec. 15, administrators delayed the opening of OSU on three consecutive days.

Simmons said that postponing the opening of the university for three days is unheard of.

"Very, very rare," he said.

Conditions in Corvallis - icy and dark - warranted this decision.

Managing the weather conditions was made easier with fewer people on campus, according to Simmons.

During the winter storms, the Portland airport suffered from numerous delays and cancellations. Snow melt and rain in the last week have caused flooding throughout the Willamette Valley and buildings, roofs and other structures collapsed, according to The Associated Press

While Corvallis received very little snow, Portland received the most snowfall in recorded history.

"I think everything resolved pretty much in late December," Simmons said.



news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2232

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