Highway 26 closed from Rhododendron to Warm Springs after crash, downed trees

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A crash, high winds and downed trees have shut down Highway 26 from Rhododendron to Warm Springs, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The highway was first closed from Mt. Hood to Madras, but the closure has since been extended.

OR-35 is also closed at its junction with Highway 26, ODOT said.

Officials warn commuters can expect an extended closure, and said high wind and rain are leading to challenging driving conditions.

ODOT has not said if there are any injuries that resulted from the crash.

While a detour is available, ODOT advises drivers to delay travel if possible, watch for debris in the road and to drive slowly.

Clackamas County asks drivers to not detour onto county or Forest Service roads on Mt. Hood to get around the highway closure. Drivers on these roads could become stranded without cell service. The roads may not be through roads or maintained for winter travel.

The county said to use Interstate 84 to US-197 or US-97 to get around the closure.

ODOT TripCheck

This closure follows another closure along Highway 26, near Elsie in Clatsop County, where a crash involving a downed tree shut down the roadway. The highway three miles west of Elsie reopened at around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.