With Portland streets stacked with as much as 15 inches of snow in some places and temperatures not expected to rise above freezing for several days, it looks like the blanket of powder might stay in place for a while.

But not if Seattle has anything to say about it.

Given the amount of snow and Portlanders' need to get stuff done between now and when the thaw is expected to arrive, Mayor Ted Wheeler and Transportation Commissioner Dan Saltzman told the Portland Bureau of Transportation that they might need some help.

The bureau put out a call and our neighbors to the north, or more specifically their department of transportation, responded.

"With a storm of this magnitude, I felt it was extremely important that we do everything we could to get our streets clear and to keep Portland moving safely," Saltzman said in a statement. "I'm extremely grateful to Seattle DOT for the offer of assistance."

A total of 11 trucks and 15 crew members are expected to arrive by Thursday morning. That includes four heavy-duty plows, four light-duty plows, an aerial lift for downed trees, a wood chipper and a chain saw crew truck. The cost has yet to be determined, but Portland will be footing the bill, a spokesman for the city said.

If you happen to see one of the Seattle crews at work, maybe pitch them a thanks or buy them a cup of coffee.

-- Kale Williams

503-294-4048