PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A section of Highway 30 remains closed between Astoria and Clatskanie following a landslide Tuesday night.
The Oregon Department of Transportation said crews are working to clear the area near milepost 74, which is about halfway between Astoria and Clatskanie.
Don Hamilton from ODOT told KOIN AM Extra the area was hit with a lot of rain and wind Tuesday evening, which caused a big section of the hillside to give way. Among the material swept up, officials say about 10 truckloads worth of mud and rock, along with several trees slid onto the highway.
The landslide hit a semi-truck that was driving along the road.
ODOT told KOIN 6 that the driver is unharmed.
Crews waited until daylight before they started evaluating the landslide. Officials said after the area is cleared of debris, safety engineers and a geologist will inspect it to ensure it’s safe to reopen.
Although it’s unclear when the road will be cleared, ODOT says drivers should expect the closure to be lengthy.
Drivers are urged to use other routes.