A homeless man who spent the night outside in temperatures that dipped into the single digits attempts to find shelter from the frigid cold on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)
Gillian Flaccus / AP
Multnomah County officials issued a cold weather advisory Friday as overnight temperatures are expected to be at or below 32 degrees this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, daytime temperatures will likely be in the upper 30s to low 40s for the Portland and Vancouver metro area. NWS forecasters said lows could possibly dip into the mid-20s Saturday through Monday nights.
Despite colder than normal temperatures, the county said Friday the weather forecast does not meet its severe weather criteria for opening warming shelters.
“Officials will continue to monitor forecasts through the holiday weekend in the event that conditions suddenly turn worse than currently forecast, requiring severe weather warming shelters to open,” reads a statement on the county’s website.
Denis Theriault, a spokesperson for Multnomah County, told OPB Tuesday that members from the Joint Office of Homeless Services began distributing cold weather supplies, including warm clothing and blankets, to unhoused community members, in preparation for the cold weather.
Officials are asking people to keep a watchful eye for people sleeping outside who may need help. People are encouraged to call the county’s non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 and request a welfare check to report concerns.
Anyone who needs information on finding year-round shelters or resources in Multnomah County can call 211.
On Tuesday, the Council for the Homeless issued a severe weather alert for Clark County. This allowed local government and community partners to activate their emergency shelter system by opening additional warming shelters.
Officials warn continual exposure to the cold could cause serious health risk especially for people living outside. In addition to watching out for signs of hypothermia or frostbite, health officials also reminded people that staying hydrated is important throughout this dry stretch of cold weather.
“Particularly in the dry cold, people with limited access to water can become dehydrated because thirst cues decrease, but the body uses a lot of moisture to warm the air; people have fewer thirst cues in the dry cold,” read a statement from Marlow Macht, Clark County EMS Medical Program Director. “No need to hyper-hydrate; just have water or warm drinks available when possible.”
People needing shelter or housing assistance should call the Council for the Homeless Hotline at 360-695-9677. The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Officials also suggest checking online for up-to-date information on shelters. The Clark County alert has been extended through Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Washington County also activated their severe weather shelters Friday. The Beaverton Community Center at 12350 SW 5th St. and the Blanton Street Building at 20665 SW Blanton St. will both open their doors Saturday at 5 p.m. to people seeking shelter from the cold.
“Shelters will remain open 24 hours throughout the severe weather event,” read a press release from Washington County. “Hot meals are provided for guests, no one will be turned away, and pets are okay (be prepared to work with shelter staff as locations' individual pet policies may vary).”
For up-to-date information on Washington County resources and shelters, check online. The Beaverton City Library at 12375 SW 5th St. and the Murray Scholls Branch located at 11200 SW Murray Scholls Place are also available to the public during normal hours this weekend.
Here’s a list of winter shelters:
Multnomah County
- Winter Shelter at Central Church of Nazarene by Union Gospel Mission, 9715 SE Powell Blvd., Portland. Please call 503-274-4483 to confirm availability as they may be full.
- Salvation Army Moore Street Corps & Community Center, 5325 N Williams Ave., Portland.
- Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES), 30 SW 2nd Ave., Portland.
Clark County
- St. Paul Vancouver, 1309 Franklin Avenue, Vancouver WA. Open Friday, January 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Living Hope Church, 2711 NE Andresen Rd, Vancouver, WA. Open Friday, Jan. 17 to Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 7 p.m.- 7 a.m.
More resources inside and outside of the Portland metro area are available here.