Pacific Northwest hunkers down for ice and freezing rain, while other US regions also battle cold

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Pacific Northwest is hunkering down after predictions of ice and freezing rain that could continue a weekend storm toll of damage and deaths. Parts of southwest Washington and western Oregon are under an ice storm warning through Wednesday morning. That includes the three largest Oregon cities, Portland, Salem and Eugene. Freezing rain is forecast in the Seattle area. Schools are closed, bus service curtailed and warming shelters open in Oregon. The forecast came as much of the United States coped with bitter weather that in some places put electricity supplies at risk. Another day of record cold temperatures swept much of the Rockies, Great Plains and Midwest on Tuesday.