Even for people without students in their families, school closure notices can help gauge how prepared the general public should be for extreme winter weather.
A Catlin Gabel school bus was stranded near the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Feb. 22, 2023.
Alexandria Hasenstab / OPB
Most schools offer alerts through various communication channels including phone alerts, emails and social media posts. Portland Public Schools, for example, will send direct text messages — for those who have opted in — as well as automated phone calls and emails if school is delayed, canceled or dismissed early, or if buses will be on snow routes. People who are not already receiving PPS alerts can learn more or sign up for them here.
For weather closures, as well as natural disasters and other school emergencies, PPS will also post banners on its homepage. And the district will post that information on Facebook and X.
Most school districts and in Oregon and Southwest Washington follow similar protocols. More information on individual districts and schools is available on the Oregon and Washington school directories.
Related: What to know before driving in snow, ice and other slick conditions
For a broader look at inclement weather closings, including businesses, public offices and events, FlashAlert Newswire covers most of Oregon and Southwest Washington. People can sign up to receive email or push notifications for their regions.
Anyone who doesn’t want to sign up for the service can bookmark and monitor FlashAlert emergency closures in:
- Portland, Vancouver and Salem metro areas, and the Columbia River Gorge
- Bend and Central Oregon
- Eugene, Springfield, Roseburg, Corvallis and nearby areas
- Medford, Klamath Falls, Grants Pass and nearby areas
Oregon residents can also sign up through OR-Alert to get local emergency notifications based on ZIP codes. Any live alert messages throughout the state will also be posted here.
In Washington, residents can sign up for alert and warnings notifications through the Washington Emergency Management Division.
Related: Preparing your home for a winter storm