MALHEUR COUNTY, Oregon — A portion of U.S 20 will be closed indefinitely, due to rock and mud slides.
The route will be closed between mileposts 189 and 223. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) says the closure could last "several days or more." Power and utility lines are down and unstable slopes are making for unsafe conditions.
Idaho News 6 reporter Allie Triepke got a first hand look as officials with ODOT escorted her through the site where they were clearing debris.
The Oregon Department of Transportation says the slides happened around midnight on Sunday.
Travelers will need to use alternate routes between Burns and Vale. ODOT advises drivers to stay on main state highways, cautioning that other routes could be impacted with similar conditions.
The Highway is closed to all westbound traffic in Vale.
In speaking with officials from ODOT, a passenger vehicle got caught in between the landslide areas last night. The occupants of the vehicle opted to camp in their vehicle overnight and officials were able to clear enough room to allow them safe passage out earlier today.
I’m on site today of the US20 highway closure caused by rock and mudslides. Direct route from Harper to Burns is closed and may take several weeks to clear up, were told.
— Allie Triepke (@AllieTriepke) June 12, 2023
Crews are working from both sides. @IdahoNews6 #US20 #EasternOregon #Juntura #IdahoNews6 https://t.co/kMPNNr9a06 pic.twitter.com/isPICyPt5h
Updated conditions can be found here, or by calling 511, or 800-977-6368. If you're outside of Oregon, call 503-588-2941.
