Oregon State Police reported five people died, including a 4 year-old girl, in three separate crashes Tuesday鈥� on U.S. 26 and Interstate 84鈥� after falling trees struck passing vehicles.
Matt Noble is with the Oregon Department of Transportation. He said inclement weather can cause a combination of threats to motorists.
鈥淪trong winds have been knocking down more vulnerable trees, so that鈥檚 trees that are dead or dying. It鈥檚 been knocking down dead or dying branches,鈥� he explained. 鈥淏ut also, from another hazard angle, all of the very heavy rain we鈥檝e been having lately can make slopes less stable which can also make them prone to landslides as well.鈥�
Noble said drivers should before leaving, drive slowly and if you encounter a tree in danger of falling鈥攄on鈥檛 approach it! Turn around safely and contact local authorities.
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