January 18, 2012

The weight of wet snow on trees throughout Portland caused a number of downed branches and significant damage to many trees last night and this morning.

Portland Parks & Recreation's Urban Forestry staff responded to 33 emergency calls, the majority of which were in Southwest Portland. At OHSU, for example, a fallen tree blocked ambulance traffic. Urban Forestry staff worked through the night clearing the road, and will continue to respond to fallen trees in the right of way today.

If you have questions about downed trees, contact PP&R's Rob Crouch at (503) 823-4443.

Several PP&R facilities will have limited hours today:

• University Park Community Center preschool is delated until 10:00 am. The facility is open regular hours.
• The Community Music Center has cancelled today's preschool music classes. The Center will open two hours late and all lessons and classes before 11:00 am are cancelled.
• Montavilla Community Center and the Laurelhurst Dance Studio will open at noon. They will not offer preschool care today.
• Columbia Pool opened two hours late, at 8:00.

Stay safe!