PORTLAND, Ore. — Counties across the Portland metro area opened severe weather shelters for people who needed a warm place to sleep or stay during Saturday's winter storm, and most of those shelters will remain open Sunday amid ongoing freezing temperatures, which are expected to persist until Wednesday.
On Friday, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency for the county, starting at 5 p.m. Friday through noon on Tuesday. She said that will give the county the resources to provide shelter to all who need it.
"No one will be turned away," she said. "We encourage people to come in from the storm. Temperatures are going to dip well below freezing and likely stay that way. Frostbite in these temperatures could set in in less than an hour. Seek shelter as soon as possible."
According to an update on Saturday, about 350 people used the available shelter beds Friday night. The county opened more shelters Saturday for a total of 10, bringing overall capacity up to 740 beds, although one of them at First Christian Church was later forced to close due to a burst pipe.
Late Sunday morning, the county said it had served 821 people overnight Saturday together with its partner agencies, and planned to provide at least 940 beds for Sunday night. The increased total will be accomplished in part by opening three additional shelters, the county said, for a total of 12, and it asked for additional community volunteers to help staff them.
Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno said Sunday that medical volunteers are needed for three-hour evening shifts Sunday night and Monday night at the warming shelters. He said the county is looking for anyone with qualifications as an EMT, paramedic, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician associate, naturopathic doctor, doctor of osteopathy or medical doctor. Volunteers can sign up at multco.us/cold and will need to register as part of the Multnomah County Medical Reserve Corp in order to serve as a medical volunteer.
On Tuesday, Multnomah County said it had expanded its street outreach, sharing warming supplies with people living on the streets and making sure they know where to go when shelters are open.
Vega Pederson said Friday that more than 100 groups went out, covering ground in 37 zones across the county. She said they gave out more than 3,000 blankets, 1,500 ponchos, 100 warm hats, 1,000 warm gloves, 1,700 pairs of socks, as well as hundreds of sleeping bags, hand-warming packs and other gear.
Rachel Pearl, deputy director for the Department of County Human Services, said outreach will continue through the weekend until the severe weather event is over.
The latest updates on shelters will be available at Multnomah County's social media accounts or at multco.us/cold.
How to get transportation to a warming shelter
Fares will be free on TriMet during the winter storm for anyone trying to get to a warming shelter, county leaders said. Pearl said the best way to access information about shelter availability or transport to a shelter is by calling 211.
"If you're not sure what to do, how to get there, access 211," she said. "Call them. They know which shelter spaces have space and how to access transportation."
Pearl said 211 is well staffed for the weekend. "We are well prepared to have coverage 24/7," she said.
Shelters open in the Portland metro area
For information about warming spaces open where you live, visit 211info.org.
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
These sites are open all day Sunday and will remain open through at least 8 p.m. Monday:
- Salvation Army, 5325 North Williams Avenue, Portland
- Cook Plaza, 19421 Southeast Stark Street, Gresham
- Friendly House, 1737 Northwest 26th Avenue, Portland
- Ascension Church, 743 Southeast 76th Avenue, Portland
- Powell Shelter, 7332 Southeast Powell Boulevard, Portland
- Market Street Shelter, 120 Southeast Market Street, Portland
- Freedom Foursquare Church, 660 Southwest 160th Avenue, Portland
- Multnomah County East Building, 600 Northeast 8th Street, Gresham
- State of Oregon Building, 800 Northeast Oregon Street, Portland
These sites will open at 8 p.m. Sunday and will remain open through at least 8 p.m. Monday:
- Bud Clark Day Center, 665 Northwest Irving Street, Portland
- Imago Dei Church, 1302 Southeast Ankeny Street, Portland
- Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 North Foss Avenue, Portland
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Multnomah County.
Click here to see a map of warming shelters in Multnomah County.
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
This site will be open until Monday morning:
- Father's Heart Street Ministry, 603 12th Street, Oregon City
- Gregory Forum, Clackamas Community College campus, 19600 South Molalla Avenue, Oregon City (note: go to the Father's Heart Street Ministry shelter first; officials can then transport shelter guests to the Gregory Forum if needed)
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Clackamas County.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
These sites are open 24 hours a day until Tuesday:
- The Salvation Army Building, 1440 Southeast 21st Avenue, Hillsboro
- Beaverton Community Center, 12350 Southwest 5th Street, Beaverton
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Washington County.
CLARK COUNTY
To access the shelters, call the Council for the Homeless Housing hotline at 360-695-9677 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays:
- St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 Northeast Gher Road, Vancouver
- St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin Street, Vancouver
- Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 12513 Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
- Immanuel Lutheran Church, 8310 MacArthur Boulevard, Vancouver
- River City Church, 2400 East Fourth Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
- Living Hope Church, 2711 Northeast Andresen Road, Vancouver
- ReFuel Washougal, 1681 C Street, Washougal
Click here for more info about warming shelters in Clark County.
ASTORIA
Access to the shelters will start at 6 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Saturday.
- Astoria Fire Department, 555 30th Street, Astoria
- Astoria Police Department, 555 30th Street, Astoria
- Astoria Parks & Recreation, 1997 Marine Drive, Astoria
- Astoria Public Library, 450 10th Street, Astoria
Click here for more info about shelters in Astoria.