Photo caption: A section of the Portland, Oregon, skyline on a winter’s day
Whiteout conditions on westbound Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls in Oregon, led authorities to report a pileup of over 100 vehicles on Thursday although, after conditions improved, the number of vehicles involved was restated to be no more than 30.
The scene of the incident is approximately 25 miles (40 km) east of Portland.
At 11:37 a.m. local time, the Oregon Department of Transportation issued an alert to warn drivers of the crash and road closure.
An SUV caught on fire in the pileup, first responders reported.
The state transportation department later said between 20 and 30 vehicles were involved and cited the severe weather conditions as the reason for the miscount.
High winds, snow, and ice made it difficult to “assess how many vehicles were involved,” said ODOT spokesperson Ryan McCrary. The Oregon State Police later said troopers responded to eight separate crashes and that four people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
Shortly before 9 p..m., officials announced that the closed section of I-84 had been reopened.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
