PORTLAND, Ore. — At least one person is believed to have died as a result of the frigid temperatures brought to Multnomah County by this weekend's winter storm, according to county officials.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner's office said Saturday that it was investigating one hypothermia death since the declaration of a state of emergency Friday for dangerously cold temperatures.
The person died Saturday in Portland, according to the medical examiner's office, but there were few other details released publicly.
It will be several weeks or months before investigators confirm whether the death was indeed hypothermia-related, which has been the case in past events.
"The death is still considered a suspected case and is under investigation as a potential cold weather-related death," county officials said in a statement. "Further tests and investigation will determine whether the death is officially cold weather-related. The County will update this information as it becomes available."
The county opened multiple overnight warming shelters Friday evening as temperatures began to plummet. More shelters will be open Saturday night as snow and ice accumulation continues in the Portland metro area.
For the latest information on available warming spaces, and free transportation, call 2-1-1 or go to multco.us/cold.
This is a developing story and may be updated with more details as they emerge.
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