A second suspected cold-related death associated with February’s winter storm has been reported in Multnomah County.
The person died on Tuesday in Portland. No other details were released.
While snow potential and freezing temperatures were forecast for Monday night and Tuesday morning, the anticipated weather did not meet conditions for the city of Portland and Multnomah County to open cold weather shelters.
Any one of the following conditions that are forecasted to persist for four hours or more between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. would constitute opening cold weather shelters:
- A forecasted temperature of 25° F or below
- Forecasted snow accumulation of one inch or more over a 24-hour period.
- A forecasted temperature at or below 32° F (0° C) with 1 inch or more of rain and with sustained winds greater than 10 mph overnight.
The first death attributed to dangerous winter weather occurred on Feb. 22, when a near-record-breaking snowfall and freezing temperatures caught Portland by surprise. Meteorologists had predicted much less serve weather.
Investigators say confirmation of weather-related deaths will not be complete for several weeks to months. Tuesday’s death is also being reported to the state of Oregon as part of its declared state of emergency.