With possibly significant snow accumulation and freezing temperatures in tonight’s forecast for the Portland metro area, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency effective today.
Starting at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, Multnomah County, the City of Portland and their service providers will open three severe weather shelters:
- Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland (corner of N. Lombard and N. Denver)
- Imago Dei, 1302 S.E. Ankeny St., Portland
- Multnomah County East, 600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham
No one will be turned away. All sites will welcome pets and be accessible to people with disabilities. Free transportation to warming shelters will be available by calling 2-1-1.
People in need can also ride TriMet to the shelters or to any warm space. TriMet will not turn away anyone traveling to or from a warm place who cannot afford to pay fare during the state of emergency.
All sites will close at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. Temperatures are expected to rise at daybreak, melting any snow accumulation.
Leaders from the County, the City of Portland, with advice from Health Department experts and partner agencies, make a daily determination of whether severe weather shelters will open, after receiving a briefing from the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the Portland area that starts at 10 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Services forecasts an 80% to 90% chance of snowfall in the Portland metro area in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Feb. 14, with a 50% chance that at least 1 inch of snow will accumulate in low-elevation areas and a small chance that as much as 3 inches could accumulate. The probability of snow increases for higher elevation areas, like Portland’s West Hills.
Temperatures will hover around freezing, meaning that snow accumulation is most likely in grassy areas, although roadways could be affected Tuesday morning. Accumulation will be unpredictable, and some areas could see much heavier snow than others.
“With this weather advisory, we’re acting swiftly to prevent the adverse effects of freezing temperatures and snow. Our three shelters will be open during the most sustained period of cold temperatures to provide the safety our neighbors need,” said Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson.
Check back at multco.us/cold for the latest shelter hours, locations and any updates as conditions change.
Warming shelters and free transportation
County and City employees, along with Do Good Multnomah, will staff the three severe weather shelters, which have a combined capacity of about 200 beds.
The three shelters will be open from 8 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday. Officials are preparing and planning for the days ahead, and shelters could open on additional nights as long as thresholds are met.
For up-to-date information on which sites are open, visit the County’s Care for When It's Cold webpage.
People planning to use TriMet to get to a warming shelter should check for routes trimet.org and let the driver they are headed to a warm place.
For those needing a place to warm up during the day, all Multnomah County Library branches (except for Holgate and Midland, which are closed for construction) will be open regular hours.
Joint Office offers ongoing shelter and outreach
The Joint Office of Homeless Services operates shelters year-round for people experiencing homelessness. There are more year-round shelter beds – congregate beds, motel rooms and sleeping pods – available now than before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Throughout the winter months, outreach workers contracted by the Joint Office of Homeless Services distribute lifesaving cold-weather supplies to people who are unsheltered.
In preparation for this severe weather event, the Joint Office activated its cold weather street outreach program on Feb. 10, directing providers to find neighbors without shelter and bring them shelter information, gear and supplies.
County, City officials jointly determine response
Multnomah County and City of Portland officials — in consultation with Emergency Management, the Health Department, County Human Services, the Joint Office of Homeless Services, and National Weather Service experts — jointly determine whether to open severe weather shelters.
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.:
- Forecasted temperature of 25° F or below
- Forecasted snow accumulation of 1 inch or more over a 24-hour period.
- Forecasted temperature at or below 32° F (0° C) with 1 inch or more of rain and with sustained winds greater than 10 mph overnight.
Even when the County and City’s shared severe weather thresholds aren't met — but when overnight temperatures are forecast at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, for roughly four hours or longer — the Joint Office issues a "cold weather alert."
Beyond expanded outreach to deliver cold-weather gear, providers share information on resources and system shelter capacity. Overflow shelter capacity is made available to outreach workers, who can refer people in need.
Support people living outside
If you see someone about whom you are concerned during cold weather, such as an individual who is not dressed warmly enough for the weather conditions, call the City of Portland’s non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 and request a welfare check.
If someone outside is unsheltered and their life appears to be in danger, call 9-1-1.
Winter weather is especially dangerous for anyone experiencing houselessness, and can also pose a greater risk for older adults and people with disabilities.
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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Media Contacts:
Julia Comnes, 971-442-0177, julia.comnes@multco.us
Sarah Dean, 971-349-0287, sarah.dean@multco.us
