Portlanders and those in the surrounding areas are in for frigid weather this week, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-teens Wednesday night and remain below freezing until Saturday morning. Additionally, the wind chill could push temperatures to sub-zero levels both Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Temperatures will be especially dangerous beginning Wednesday night, when temperatures are predicted to drop to 17 degrees before wind chill, through Friday morning, when temperatures are expected to reach as high as 30 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Thursday's high is only 21 degrees, with a nighttime low of 19 degrees.
Hypothermia and frostbite can set in in a matter of minutes in those temperatures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.
The weather is particularly dangerous for homeless Portlanders and those who live indoors with inadequate heat. Elderly people and people who use drugs or alcohol are also especially prone to hypothermia, according to the CDC.
Multnomah County and the city of Portland declared a joint emergency Tuesday ahead of the extreme cold.
“Declaring a state of emergency doesn’t just enhance the tools we have to plan, coordinate and gather the additional resources with severe weather bearing down on us,” Deborah Kafoury, county chair, said in a press release. “It also signals to our community that the conditions we expect are legitimately dangerous and life threatening. Please check in with your neighbors often, share information, and volunteer or donate if you’re able.”
A list of available resources is below:
Multnomah County warming shelters (Source)
Four severe weather shelters will open at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The County and the City of Portland and their service provider partners will open more than 300 emergency shelter beds at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, and for as long as conditions require. The City and County both declared a state of emergency for this event. No one will be turned away. The severe weather shelters are:
- Portsmouth Union: 4775 N. Lombard St., Portland, OR 97203
- Arbor Lodge: 1952 N. Lombard St., Portland, OR 97217
- Sunrise Center: 18901 E. Burnside St., Portland, OR 97233
- Oregon Convention Center, 960 NE 1st Ave. Portland, OR 97232
- Reynolds High School: 1698 SW Cherry Park Road, Troutdale, OR 97060
For transportation, people should call 2-1-1 or ride TriMet to a 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. TriMet asks riders to let their driver know they are headed to a warm place.When riding transit during extreme weathers, plan extra time and check trimet.org/alerts before traveling, as there may be weather-related delays to service.
Plan your trip to a warming shelter at trimet.org
Use this map to see if there is a warming location near you.
Washington County warming shelters (Source)
Washington County opens additional Severe Weather Shelter Capacity 12/21/2022 at 4 p.m. until at least 12/24/2022 at 12 p.m.
Due to dangerous weather conditions, Washington County has activated inclement weather shelters that will open their doors to anyone seeking shelter through the winter weather event. Unhoused people seeking shelter should present in person at the locations listed below:
- The Salvation Army Building, 1440 SE 21st Ave, Hillsboro
- Accessible via TriMet route numbers 57
- Shelter Operator: Project Homeless Connect
- Beaverton Community Center, 12350 SW 5th St
- Accessible via TriMet route numbers 52, 76, and 78
- Shelter Operator: Just Compassion
Shelters will remain open 24 hours throughout the severe weather event. Hot meals are provided for guests, no one will be turned away, and domestic pets are okay (be prepared to work with shelter staff as locations individual pet policies may vary). To help someone obtain transportation to a shelter location, please call 503-846-4722.
Clackamas County warming shelters (Source)
Clackamas County supports a network of severe weather warming center providers for homeless persons on nights when the weather is predicted to be 33 degrees or lower (including wind chill) or when other conditions (snow, wind, flooding or other weather conditions) make sleeping outdoors especially dangerous.
For a central number to get information about shelters, transportation or other resources, call 211. To sign up for text alerts for critical, emergency announcements from the county, opt-in to Public Alerts.
- Father's Heart Street Ministry
603 12th St., Oregon City
503-722-9780
Service pets (on leash or in carriers) are accepted.
Open Date/Time: Tue., Dec. 20 2022 6:00 PM
Close Date/Time: Sat., Dec. 24 2022 7:00 AM - Molalla Hope Center
209 Kennel Avenue, Molalla
Dogs and other small pets in carriers are welcome, but check with the staff. Hot drinks available. Dinner is served around 7 p.m.
Open Date/Time: Tue., Dec. 20 2022 6:00 PM
Close Date/Time: Thu., Dec. 22 2022 8:00 AM - Zoar Lutheran Church
190 SW Third Ave., Canby
503-266-4061
Dinner will be at about 5 to 6 p.m. There may be other activities at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Dogs on leash and other small pets in carriers are welcome, but check with the staff.
Open Date/Time: Wed., Dec. 21 2022 8:00 AM
Close Date/Time: Fri., Dec. 23 2022 7:00 AM
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