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Whiteout conditions cause massive pileup on I-84 in Oregon

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Published  February 14, 2025 8:16am PST
Severe Weather
FOX 13 Seattle

100+ car pileup on I-84 in Oregon

A massive pileup clogged I-84 near Portland, Oregon thanks to snowy conditions. More than 100 vehicles were tangled up in the wreckage.

The Brief

    • Westbound I-84 near Multnomah Falls, Oregon, is closed after treacherous winter weather led to a pileup of more than 100 vehicles.
    • Authorities previously reported more than 100 vehicles were involved in the crash, but revised the number once visibility improved.
    • An SUV caught on fire in the pileup. Injuries have been reported.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. - Westbound I-84 closed near Multnomah Falls, Oregon, after whiteout winter weather conditions led to a pileup of two-dozen vehicles on Thursday.

I-84 closed near Multnomah Falls, Oregon after white out winter weather conditions caused a pileup of more than 100 cars on Thursday. At 11:37 a.m., the Oregon State Department of Transportation (ODOT) sent out an alert warning drivers that westbound I-84 is closed three miles west of Multnomah Falls due to a crash. Officials urged drivers to use alternate routes and to plan for long delays. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), an SUV caught fire in the pile-up that deputies say involve more than 100 cars, trucks and semi-trucks.

(Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

At 11:37 a.m., the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) issued an alert warning drivers that westbound I-84 is closed three miles west of Multnomah Falls due to a crash. That's about 25 miles east of Portland.

First responders searched every vehicle that was involved in the pileup near Multnomah Falls. The office had initially said more than 100 cars were involved. The state transportation department later said between 20 and 30 vehicles were involved.

High winds, snow and ice made it difficult to "assess how many vehicles were involved," said department spokesperson Ryan McCrary. The Oregon State Police said troopers responded to eight separate crashes and that four people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

The pileup happened in whiteout conditions in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84, authorities said, noting that an SUV caught fire but its occupants escaped. The sheriff’s office said there were reports of injuries and people being trapped in their vehicles. Oregon State Police spokesperson Kyle Kennedy said in an email that there have been no reported deaths.

Big picture view:

Officials urged drivers to avoid the area, use alternate routes and plan for long delays.

According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), an SUV caught fire in the pileup, which deputies say involved more than 100 cars, trucks and semi-trucks.

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There are reports of injuries, but deputies did not specify how many. Oregon State Police spokesperson Kyle Kennedy said in an email that there have been no reported deaths.

I-84 closed near Multnomah Falls, Oregon after white out winter weather conditions caused a pileup of more than 100 cars on Thursday. At 11:37 a.m., the Oregon State Department of Transportation (ODOT) sent out an alert warning drivers that westbound I-84 is closed three miles west of Multnomah Falls due to a crash. Officials urged drivers to use alternate routes and to plan for long delays. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), an SUV caught fire in the pile-up that deputies say involve more than 100 cars, trucks and semi-trucks.

(Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

What they're saying:

Responders are at the scene, with more on the way. Deputies have issued social media alerts saying dozens of vehicles are in the crash area, with several crash sites along westbound I-84 near milepost 28. Some drivers are reportedly stuck inside their vehicles.

I-84 closed near Multnomah Falls, Oregon after white out winter weather conditions caused a pileup of more than 100 cars on Thursday. At 11:37 a.m., the Oregon State Department of Transportation (ODOT) sent out an alert warning drivers that westbound I-84 is closed three miles west of Multnomah Falls due to a crash. Officials urged drivers to use alternate routes and to plan for long delays. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), an SUV caught fire in the pile-up that deputies say involve more than 100 cars, trucks and semi-trucks.

(Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Is I-84 near Portland, OR still closed?

About nine hours after the closure, ODOT announced that westbound I-84 had reopened between Hood River and Troutdale. However, officials are still urging drivers to postpone travel if possible since severe winter weather will continue through Friday.

"If you must travel, take caution and watch out for stranded vehicles, emergency responders and road debris", ODOT wrote in an 8:37 p.m. social media post.

ODOT is encouraging drivers to check the status of their route before traveling through TripCheck.com.

I-84 closed near Multnomah Falls, Oregon after white out winter weather conditions caused a pileup of more than 100 cars on Thursday. At 11:37 a.m., the Oregon State Department of Transportation (ODOT) sent out an alert warning drivers that westbound I-84 is closed three miles west of Multnomah Falls due to a crash. Officials urged drivers to use alternate routes and to plan for long delays. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), an SUV caught fire in the pile-up that deputies say involve more than 100 cars, trucks and semi-trucks.

Portland, Oregon snow today

What's next:

Freezing rain and snow contributed to the pileup in Multnomah County, where officials extended a state of emergency through at least Friday and said eight emergency shelters would be open. Officials said 489 people went to the shelters Wednesday night. Wind chill readings could dip to 10 degrees in Portland, the weather service said.

Northwestern Oregon, including Portland, could see up to 3 inches of snow with winds gusting as high as 45 mph, according to the weather service.

In southern Washington state, six people were injured in multiple crashes on Interstate 5 near the Cowlitz River, said state patrol spokesperson Will Finn.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Source: Information for this article came from multiple social media posts by the Oregon State Department of Transportation, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the National Weather Service and The Associated Press.

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