Multnomah County will open five emergency shelters from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, through at least until noon Wednesday, Feb. 12, as the region braces for ongoing bitter cold and wind.
With forecasts again meeting severe weather thresholds, the County will both reopen three emergency shelters and add two additional shelters. A total of 285 people came to the three shelters that opened last night, Feb. 10.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson extended the County’s state of emergency through at least 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.
“I am extending this emergency so TriMet will not turn away those traveling to or from emergency shelters and people can get inside and find comfort and support,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “These temperatures combined with wind chill factor can be life-threatening, which is why we’re expanding shelter locations and capacity. No one seeking shelter will be turned away.”
Multnomah County employees and service provider partners will open these five severe weather shelters tonight at 8 p.m. They will remain open through at least noon Wednesday, Feb. 12. No one seeking shelter will be turned away. All sites will welcome pets and be accessible to people with disabling conditions.
- Cook Plaza (19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham) — operated by Cultivate Initiatives
- Hollywood Shelter (1815 N.E. 43rd Ave., Portland) — operated by Transition Projects
- N.W. 14th Avenue Shelter (600 N.W. 14th Ave., Portland) — operated by Do Good Multnomah
- Ascension Catholic Church (743 S.E. 76th Ave., Portland) — operated by Multnomah County
- Grand Oak Shelter (324 S.E. Grand Ave., Portland) — operated by Multnomah County
Beyond adding two more shelters, the County will continue to add capacity as needed and available at the three sites that first opened Feb. 10.
In addition, the City of Portland and Multnomah County are funding 200 winter-only overnight beds at two Salvation Army shelters. The shelters will be open from 7 p.m. tonight through at least 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. As of early Tuesday, Feb. 11, limited beds were still available at both shelters.
- SAFES (30 S.W. 2nd Ave.) — shelter for women-identified people
- Moore Street Corps (5335 N. Williams Ave.) — shelter for people of all genders
Transportation to shelters is available; call 2-1-1
Free transportation to warming shelters will be available by calling 2-1-1. 211info staff are available to identify shelters and warming spaces in Multnomah County 24/7, along with transportation options.
Also, TriMet will not turn away anyone traveling to or from an emergency warming shelter during shelter hours. People planning to use TriMet to get to a warming shelter should check for routes at trimet.org and let the driver know they are headed to a shelter.
This interactive map shows places to to get warm during the day, including Multnomah County Library branches, which are open normal hours today.
Source: Multnomah County