PORTLAND, Ore. — With a possibility for more snow in the Portland area overnight, Multnomah County will open overnight warming shelters Tuesday.
Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury are both declaring a weather state of emergency for Tuesday.
Many questioned why the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), a partnership between the city and county, did not open severe weather shelters Sunday night, when a historic April snowstorm brought several inches of snow and freezing temperatures to the area. JOHS said the decision not to open was based on early Sunday forecasts that predicted the snow would be limited to upper elevations, and cited the extensive prep time required to get shelters up and running.
Commissioners Dan Ryan and Jo Ann Hardesty said Monday the temperature threshold that activates the severe weather shelters should be reevaluated.
Severe weather shelters will open Tuesday at 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. Wednesday. No one will be turned away.
The shelters are located at:
- Salvation Army: 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
- Sunrise Center: 18901 E. Burnside St., Portland
- Imago Dei: 1302 S.E. Ankeny St, Portland
All sites are accessible to people with disabilities and pets are allowed. People seeking shelter can call 2-1-1 for information and to request transportation to a shelter. TriMet will not turn anyone away who is traveling to and from warming shelters and cannot pay a fare between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The shelters will prioritize resupplying visitors with cold weather supplies that may have been lost during Sunday's storm, like sleeping bags, handwarmers, boots and socks, the county said. JOHS will continue street outreach efforts to assist unsheltered people with gear.
If people are concerned about someone outdoors who might not be dressed for weather conditions, they should call the non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 to request a welfare check. If you believe someone's life is in danger, call 911.
