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.
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.
Source: Multnomah County
