With weather forecasts meeting the thresholds to open severe weather shelters, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson will declare a state of emergency effective that goes into effect tonight at 6 p.m., Feb. 4.
Multnomah County employees and service provider partners will open three severe weather shelters:
- Cook Plaza (19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham) — operated by Cultivate Initiatives
- Hollywood Shelter (1815 N.E. 43rd Ave., Portland) — operated by Transition Projects
- NW 14th Avenue Shelter (600 N.W. 14th Ave., Portland) — operated by Do Good Multnomah
These shelters join Multnomah County and the City of Portland’s nearly 3,000 year-round shelter beds plus 200 winter-only beds at two Salvation Army shelters. As of Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Salvation Army’s winter beds still had room for people seeking shelter.
The Joint Office of Homeless Services tonight has also activated its enhanced outreach program.
For the latest information as conditions change, please bookmark and visit multco.us/cold.
“Severe weather shelters save lives during the very coldest and harshest nights of the year,’’ said Chair Vega Pederson. “Our goal with the additional shelter we open today is making sure that there’s a bed, comfort and support for everyone who lacks a safe, warm, dry place.”
No one seeking shelter will be turned away. All sites will welcome pets and be accessible to people with disabling conditions. Free transportation to warming shelters will be available by calling 2-1-1 or through TriMet.
TriMet will not turn away anyone traveling to or from a warm place who is unable to pay fare while shelters are open. Those seeking shelter should inform their bus operator they are heading to or from a warming shelter or space. People planning to use TriMet to get to a warming shelter should check for routes at trimet.org and let the driver they are headed to a warm place.
211info staff are available to identify shelters and warming spaces in Multnomah County 24/7, along with transportation options.
This interactive map shows places to to get warm during the day, including Multnomah County Library branches, which are planned to be open normal hours today.
You can also download and print updated maps of shelter sites in English and Spanish:
- warming-spaces-flyer-02-04-2025-en-v1.pdf (413.63 KB)
- warming-spaces-flyer-02-04-2025-sp-v1.pdf (424.48 KB)
The additional 242 severe weather beds will remain open at least through 12 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.
The County and its partners are also prepared to keep shelters open longer tomorrow as conditions warrant — out of an abundance of caution — reflecting the relative uncertainty in the National Weather Service’s official forecasting models, which have ranged from a rain-only event to snow.
If you are concerned about someone you see during colder conditions, such as an individual who is not dressed for the weather conditions, call the non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 and request a welfare check.
If someone is unsheltered and their life appears to be in danger, call 9-1-1 for medical attention.
Beyond shelters, other work ongoing to support the community
The Joint Office of Homeless Services on Tuesday, Feb. 4, will once again meet thresholds to activate its enhanced outreach program. During enhanced outreach, the Joint Office divides the County into zones and works with nonprofit providers and community groups to make sure each zone has one or more teams checking on people without shelter and delivering life-safety supplies, including warm clothing, blankets and hand warmers.
Since Jan. 10, the Joint Office has provided outreach teams with 4,300 hand warmers, 864 hoodies, 864 pairs of sweatpants, 4,300 ponchos, 2,580 warm hats, 2,580 warm gloves, 5,160 pairs of socks, 4,172 wool blankets, 4,140 tarps, 845 tents, 848 sleeping bags, 4,300 mylar blankets, and 87,580 water bottles.
The County has also been monitoring emergency systems to measure how the weather is impacting the community.
Winter weather is especially dangerous for anyone experiencing houselessness, and can also pose a greater risk for older adults and people with disabilities.
Volunteering to support our warming shelters
During dangerous weather emergencies, Multnomah County opens life-saving Disaster Resource Centers (DRCs) across our community that offer people shelter, safety, resources and connection — especially those who are at greatest risk of harm. We often welcome the support of community members when the need arises. Visit the “Volunteer at a County emergency shelter” webpage to learn about info sessions and training opportunities, as well as emergency shelter roles and their requirements.
Many organizations providing aid to people experiencing homelessness also partner with community volunteers to offer their services and accept community donations. 211info also has a winter-focused donations site.
Severe weather thresholds for opening emergency shelter
County staff monitor weather conditions and other factors, including temperature fluctuations, precipitation, windchill and emergency department visits for hypothermia. Once forecasts show the potential for thresholds to be met, officials meet daily to discuss those weather conditions — consulting with Emergency Management, Health Department, County Human Services and Joint Office experts — and then jointly decide on shelter plans as needed.
Severe weather shelters open as needed when any of the following thresholds are met for any one of the conditions below that are forecasted to persist for four (4) hours or more between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Forecast temperature of 25° F (-4° C) or below
- Forecast temperature at or below 32° F (0° C) with 1 inch or more of rain and with sustained winds greater than 10 mph overnight
- Forecast snow accumulation of 1 inch (25 mm) or more over a 24-hour period
The County’s Chief Operating Officer or their designee may consider other conditions or circumstances during a severe weather event that could increase the risk to the community and activate elements included in this standard operating procedure.
The basic thresholds the County uses were first developed and used by the City of Portland, before the Joint Office of Homeless Services was created, when the City served as the lead agency providing severe weather shelter for adults experiencing homelessness.
Cold weather alerts for enhanced outreach
Even when severe weather thresholds aren't met, the Joint Office of Homeless Services may issue a “cold weather alert” as cold and wet conditions warrant. This activates enhanced outreach. Cold weather alerts do not activate the County’s response to open severe weather beds at additional warming shelters.
During enhanced outreach, providers conduct additional and focused outreach to find vulnerable people, and they can quickly obtain and distribute cold weather gear from the Joint Office supply distribution center. Providers will also step up coordination to share information on resources and available shelter. Overflow shelter capacity will be made available to outreach workers, who can refer people in need.
The following conditions lasting for four (4) or more hours overnight activate the highest level of enhanced outreach. In some cases, thresholds may be met only in certain zones; enhanced outreach can be specific to those zones.
- Temperatures forecast to reach 32 degrees or below, without precipitation
- Windchills forecast to reach 25 degrees or below, without precipitation
- Temperatures forecast to reach 34 degrees or below, alongside precipitation of more than one tenth of an inch
Stay informed and check on neighbors
Emergency managers and the Multnomah County Health Officer are advising all community members to get ready. Check on your neighbors: Please knock on the door, make the call, let people know if you’re going to the store and ask how you might help.
Care for When It’s Cold: Up-to-date information from Multnomah County on shelters, safety and support.
211info.org: Up-to-date info on weather conditions, available resources, where to find the nearest available shelter and transportation options. You can also find out where you can donate winter weather items to those who need them. Sign up for Severe
Winter Weather alerts via email or text by going to 211info’s sign-up page.
National Weather Service: Check weather warnings in the Portland Metro area.
Public Alerts: Sign up to get emergency alerts about safety concerns in your area.
TriMet Alerts: Check for winter weather advisories.
ODOT TripCheck: The Oregon Department of Transportation TripCheck site updates Oregon road conditions and streams live roadside video.
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