Locals play it safe in winter weather

Local first responders say that, aside from a few minor accidents and abandoned vehicles on the side of the road, the majority of people in Camas-Washougal seems to be playing safe during this week’s sudden return to winter weather.

The Camas-Washougal Fire Department responded to five motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, after snow started accumulating throughout the area, but firefighters said none of the accidents resulted in injuries.

“Many more (non-injury accidents) did not trigger a response,” said CWFD Battalion Chief Greg Payne. “There have been a lot of cars stuck on hills. We sent some sanding crews, and public works crews from Camas and Washougal were assisting folks as well.”

Payne said a lot of people stayed home today, after waking up to several inches of snow.

The CWFD and East County Fire and Rescue responded to vehicles sliding off the road and tipping over on their sides Tuesday at Northeast Livingston Road and Northeast 53rd Street, and Northeast Lessard Road and Northeast 317th Place.

“Everyone was able to get out,” Payne said.

Washougal Police Sgt. Geoff Reijonen said there have not been any snow-related accidents in Washougal within the past 24 hours.

“It is shocking to me,” he said.

Camas Police Sgt. Scot Boyles said there was a minor traffic accident Tuesday with no injuries at Northwest Lake Road and Northwest Friberg Street. Camas Police also responded to a non-injury accident at Northeast 28th Street and N.E. Goodwin Road.

That doesn’t mean everyone was being safe in the snow.

In one instance, a person was cited Tuesday for reckless driving at Southeast Second Avenue and Southeast Lechner Street, near the Camas-Washougal border.

“They were driving ‘doughnuts’ — purposely spinning their tires while in the snow, in dangerous driving conditions,” Boyles said.

More winter weather on the way

Although the snow seems to be melting this afternoon, we’re not out of the woods yet. The National Weather Service has issued a new winter weather advisory from 10 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m., tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 22.

Snow is expected in Camas and Washougal, with accumulations of 1 to 2 inches. Some areas over 500 feet may see up to 4 inches of snow.

The Weather Service says people should “plan on difficult travel conditions … and expect reductions in visibility at times.”

The snow is likely to end before the Thursday morning commute, but “travel may be impacted significantly,” according to the Weather Service alert.

For the latest road conditions, call 511.