Update: 4:50 p.m.

Oregon Department of Transportation said in a press release Monday afternoon that as of 3 p.m., I-5 traffic northbound was moving again south of Cottage Grove. According to the release, “ODOT and utility crews are working to remove downed line across the southbound lanes.”

At around 4:30 p.m., Leah Sykes said over the phone that she had finally gotten off the freeway and was able to get some gas. She was hoping to make it home to Portland Monday night.

Winter weather hit Oregon hard Monday, causing power outages and road closures that left some drivers stuck on Interstate 5 south of Cottage Grove for hours.

“No one has moved and it’s very cold,” said Leah Sykes, who was heading home to Portland on Monday and got stuck nine miles south of Cottage Grove on I-5 northbound with what she estimated to be hundreds of other people, all with no access to food, water, restrooms or gas.

Sykes was part of a back up on I-5 that stretched for at least a mile, Gary Leaming, spokesperson for Oregon Department of Transportation, said Monday.

Leaming said incident responders from multiple agencies and counties, including ODOT and Oregon State Police were working their way down the freeway Monday.

“They’re trying to get people pulled out of there,” he said.

One complicating factor?

“We have crews that are stranded ourselves,” Leaming said, “on Highway 138 West between Sutherlin and Elkton and possibly between Elkton and Scottsburg on Highway 38.”

Downed power lines are one of the things causing issues for people stuck out on secondary highways, Leaming said.

ODOT’s TripCheck website showed traffic issues all across the state.

ODOT's TripCheck Monday, Feb. 25, 2019

Leaming said he tells people this time of year to “really expect winter driving conditions” and be ready by having a full tank of gas when you hit the road and water, snacks and blankets in the car.

UPDATE: I-84 WB closure moved to #Ontario, Exit 374 for all trucks. No more safe truck parking in #LaGrande or #BakerCity. WB freeway blocked by unchained truck spun out near MP 247, 11 mi W of La Grande. If you used alt routes, expect winter conditions. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/7OGpPqTLeV — Oregon DOT (@OregonDOT) February 25, 2019

Sykes, who says she has snacks and blankets, was concerned about the prospect of spending the night on the freeway Monday afternoon.

“We just need help,” she said.

Looking back on I-5, nine miles south of Cottage Grove

While Leaming couldn’t say how long it would take to get all of the stranded drivers off I-5, he did say that help is on the way.

“We’re just asking people to be patient,” he said. “No one’s going home while people are out there.”