Multnomah County, Ore. (Feb. 5, 2025) — Today, Feb. 5, at noon, Multnomah County will close three overnight severe weather shelter locations as scheduled and revert to its system of 3,200 year-round and all-winter shelter beds, reflecting current forecasts showing rising temperatures and rain in the Portland area.
The County and the City of Portland will continue to monitor conditions and consult with the National Weather Service, since longer-term forecasts still show the possibility of snow and colder temperatures in the coming days. The County will remain ready to stand up emergency shelters again as needed.
Over 200 people stayed in the 260 additional severe weather beds opened last night by Multnomah County’s contracted service provider partners. That total number of beds was slightly higher than initially planned, as the N.W. 14th Avenue Shelter expanded its capacity by 20 beds to meet a nighttime peak of 102 people.
Additionally, 113 people were served in the two winter shelters opened earlier this season by The Salvation Army, which have a combined total of 200 beds. Nineteen people were served in other overflow beds in the shelter system.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 5, The Salvation Army’s winter beds still had room for people seeking shelter, so people should call 211 if someone needs shelter tonight.
The Health Department’s mobile medical van as well as Central City Concern’s mobile medical van provided medical attention for clients at two shelter sites Wednesday morning.
The County and the City of Portland decided to open severe weather shelters based on the National Weather Service’s forecast of snow and cold temperatures Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, even though there was significant uncertainty about how severe the conditions could become. The County and City also took into consideration an increase in cold-weather-related 911 calls, emergency department visits and urgent care visits overnight Monday into Tuesday.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner, during a scheduled update meeting Feb. 4, has confirmed one hypothermia death, which occurred in Portland on Feb. 2.
The County worked with its staff and three nonprofit providers — Cultivate Initiatives, Do Good Multnomah and Transition Projects — to stand up three sites that had already been staged with supplies. Staff also scheduled and provided training for volunteer and staff shifts, and the Joint Office of Homeless Services continued its coordinated street outreach to bring cold weather gear and printed shelter maps to people living unsheltered.
As in all activations, the County also ensured that security staff was present at all County-operated shelters.
Even with shelters closing this afternoon at noon, the Joint Office’s coordinated outreach will continue across the County today, with a focus on replacing gear that might have been damaged in the rain last night.
Since Jan. 10, the Joint Office through its coordinated outreach work has distributed 4,380 hand-warming packs, 880 sweatshirts, 880 pairs of sweatpants, 4,380 ponchos, 2,628 warm hats, 2,628 pairs of gloves, 5,256 pairs of socks, 4,268 wool blankets, 4,220 tarps, 857 tents, 860 sleeping bags, 4,380 mylar blankets and 88,012 bottles of water.
The three emergency shelter spaces opened last night at 7 p.m. were:
- Cook Plaza — owned by Multnomah County and operated by Cultivate Initiatives
- Hollywood Shelter — operated by Transition Projects
- NW 14th Avenue Shelter — operated by Do Good Multnomah
The County, in partnership with 211info, also coordinated rides for 28 people needing transportation to severe weather shelters.
Volunteering to support our warming shelters
During dangerous weather emergencies, Multnomah County opens life-saving Disaster Resource Centers 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
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