Multnomah County will open five emergency shelters from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, through at least until noon Wednesday, Feb. 12, as the region braces for ongoing bitter cold and wind.
With forecasts again meeting severe weather thresholds, the County will both reopen three emergency shelters and add two additional shelters. A total of 285 people came to the three shelters that opened last night, Feb. 10, with capacity added to accommodate people seeking a warm space.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson extended the County’s state of emergency through at least 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.
“I am extending this emergency so TriMet will not turn away those traveling to or from emergency shelters and people can get inside and find comfort and support,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “These temperatures combined with wind chill factor can be life-threatening, which is why we’re expanding shelter locations and capacity. No one seeking shelter will be turned away.”
Multnomah County employees and service provider partners will open these five severe weather shelters tonight at 8 p.m. They will remain open through at least noon Wednesday, Feb. 12. No one seeking shelter will be turned away. All sites will welcome pets and be accessible to people with disabling conditions.
- Cook Plaza (19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham) — operated by Cultivate Initiatives
- Hollywood Shelter (1815 N.E. 43rd Ave., Portland) — operated by Transition Projects
- N.W. 14th Avenue Shelter (600 N.W. 14th Ave., Portland) — operated by Do Good Multnomah
- Ascension Catholic Church (743 S.E. 76th Ave., Portland) — operated by Multnomah County
- Grand Oak Shelter (324 S.E. Grand Ave., Portland) — operated by Multnomah County
Beyond adding two more shelters, the County will continue to add capacity as needed and as available at the three sites that first opened Feb. 10.
In addition, the City of Portland and Multnomah County are funding 200 winter-only overnight beds at two Salvation Army shelters. The shelters will be open from 7 p.m. tonight through at least 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. As of early Tuesday, Feb. 11, limited beds were still available at both shelters.
- SAFES (30 S.W. 2nd Ave.) — shelter for women-identified people
- Moore Street Corps (5335 N. Williams Ave.) — shelter for people of all genders
Transportation to shelters is available; call 2-1-1
Free transportation to warming shelters will be available by calling 2-1-1. 211info staff are available to identify shelters and warming spaces in Multnomah County 24/7, along with transportation options.
Also, TriMet will not turn away anyone traveling to or from an emergency warming shelter during shelter hours. People planning to use TriMet to get to a warming shelter should check for routes at trimet.org and let the driver know they are headed to a shelter.
This interactive map shows places to to get warm during the day, including Multnomah County Library branches, which are open normal hours today.
You can also download and print updated maps of shelter sites available tonight, Feb. 11, in English and Spanish:
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.
The Joint Office of Homeless Services is also continuing its enhanced outreach program today. The Joint Office has activated its coordinated outreach efforts repeatedly since Jan. 11, 2025, an unprecedented stretch in response to the past few weeks of cold temperatures.
The County and its partners are also prepared to keep shelters open longer tomorrow and into this week as conditions warrant. The County will send official announcements if shelters open on additional days.
For the latest information as conditions change, please bookmark and visit multco.us/cold.
Hundreds sought refuge at shelters Feb. 10
In addition to the 285 people who sought refuge at the three emergency warming shelters overnight Feb. 10, an additional 168 people stayed at the two overnight Salvation Army seasonal winter shelters, and nine others used emergency overflow beds made available at year-round shelters. Pets were welcome.
Overnight Feb. 10, 211info coordinated transportation for 68 people seeking shelter. Community volunteers delivered at least another 30 people.
These seasonal and emergency shelters join Multnomah County and the City of Portland’s nearly 3,000 year-round shelter beds that operate 24/7 and are almost always at capacity. While those beds are often mostly full, they provide important respite for hundreds of people night after night and help keep more people out of the elements in the first place.
Beyond shelters, other work ongoing to support the community
The Joint Office of Homeless Services on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 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. The teams also deliver life-safety supplies, including warm clothing, blankets and hand warmers.
Since Jan. 10, the Joint Office has provided outreach teams with 5,320 hand warmers, 1,068 hoodies, 1,068 pairs of sweatpants, 5,320 ponchos, 3,192 warm hats, 3,192 pairs of warm gloves, 6,384 pairs of socks, 5,266 wool blankets, 5,070 tarps, 980 tents, 983 sleeping bags, 5,320 mylar blankets, and 104,188 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. The County has since expanded the thresholds and added a separate cold weather response on nights when thresholds aren’t met.
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.
