Ice covers the UO’s Lillis Business Complex during a winter storm on Jan. 13, 2024. (Alex Hernandez/Emerald)

Opinion: We can’t keep completely shutting down for snow and ice
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As a lifelong Oregonian, one of the few constants of my life has been the stand-still effect of snow and ice. From trekking through ice to my local library as a kid to slipping my way to the dining hall this year, snow has always been the ultimate nuisance.
In a state where severe winter weather used to be an uncommon event, Oregon lacks the experience and resources to keep our winter wonderlands from becoming a week-long nightmare. With this in mind, how can we better tackle these hazards in the future?
First, let’s look at our current practices for winter storm mitigation. According to Josh Bruce, the associate director for applied research at the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, effective mitigation practices include “diverse and redundant infrastructure systems, trimming trees near overhead power lines or undergrounding power lines, de-icing roads and clearing ice dams from stormwater drains.”
While these practices are implemented at state, regional and local levels by the Department of Land Conservation and Development, their immediate productivity is debated. Despite these measures, “more than 200,000 locations were without power across the state,” as reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting. This was mainly due to an influx of downed trees that, despite their trimming, still wreaked havoc against power lines. While these mitigation practices assist in preparedness for the long run, they have a negligible effect when storm events occur.
“Additional funding could help complete [further] mitigation actions. At the end of the day, we can’t mitigate all hazard vulnerabilities especially when they are as intense as the recent winter storm event,” Bruce said.
When a lack of funding is the problem, pressure falls on agencies such as the Department of Emergency Management to form mutual aid agreements in order to bring in equipment, such as the sought-after snow plow, in times of need. Oregon is a member of multiple of these agreements, connected both nationally and regionally to interstate resources.
When it comes down to it, other states’ snow plows and de-icers are insufficient when areas receive more than a couple inches of snow. When this occurs, many are unable to exit their homes in order to buy groceries or go to work. In actuality, Oregonians are stranded by their government in such times of need.
Knowing this, Oregon encourages all residents to be “Two-Weeks Ready.” This includes being personally responsible for staying informed, making an emergency plan and building an emergency kit. This is meant to reduce the individual harm of hazardous events, especially the most severe.
While seeming like a solid plan, I question whether it’s entirely achievable for the population. For instance, many college students lack the resources (and even planning skills) to properly prepare themselves for such incidents. A run-of-the-mill two-week emergency kit costs over $50, an investment that most students are unable or unwilling to make. The same reality rings true for homemade kits; they require a significant amount of money and energy to make.
In the most recent storm, UO students who failed to be “Two-Weeks Ready” certainly felt the effects of an ice-coated campus.
“It was really difficult to get around campus without slipping and falling, first-year Stella Edmondson said. “Also, WiFi and power outages made it difficult to keep up with my classes.”
It’s not sustainable for the state, and all those who reside in it, to stop functioning when winter weather inevitably occurs. Unfortunately, within an area where such incidents are relatively rare, the burden largely falls on individuals to prepare themselves for problems that could be dealt with on an infrastructural level.
As a college student, I suggest making at least some effort to prepare for emergencies. This may not include putting together a full emergency kit, but try to keep some of the most necessary items on hand. On a more direct level, try to make smart decisions in the event of natural hazards. Yes, riding bike racks down icy hills seems fun in the moment, but try to prioritize your personal safety, especially when that patch of ice isn’t going to be plowed away anytime soon.