Multnomah County to keep 8 severe weather shelters open Friday after serving 700 people Thursday night

As the metro area continues to contend with snowy and icy conditions, Multnomah County will maintain eight severe weather shelters available throughout the day and nighttime on Friday.

On Saturday, the shelters will stay open until at least 10 a.m.

The number of individuals sleeping at the county’s eight emergency shelters increased significantly from 489 on Wednesday night to 709 on Thursday night.

Additionally, officials reported that 20 people used emergency overflow beds at the county’s year-round shelters Thursday night, and 191 people stayed in Portland’s Salvation Army-run overnight winter shelters.

On Thursday, the county made arrangements for 163 people—12 of whom use wheelchairs—to be transported to shelters.

Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said in a statement that the prolonged extreme weather event still calls for resilience and awareness. In order to fulfill the demand, we have increased shelters every day this week.

Volunteers from the community are needed by the county to staff emergency shelters. To sign up, people can go to the county volunteer webpage.

Winter shelters have also been established in Washington and Clackamas counties.

Forecasters predict that the winter weather that pounded the area Thursday—which brought two to four inches of snow and up to half an inch of ice—will give way to a warm winter day on Friday as the skies clear and temperatures start to rise.

The following shelters will be open on Friday in the Portland metropolitan area:

Multnomah County

Eight emergency shelters will be open in Multnomah County on Friday during the day and evening. On Saturday, the shelters will remain open until at least 10 a.m.

Cook Plaza, 19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham
Hollywood Shelter, 1815 N.E. 43rd Ave., Portland
NW 14th Avenue Shelter, 600 NW 14th Ave., Portland
Ascension Catholic Church, 743 SE 76th Ave., Portland
Grand Oak Shelter, 324 SE Grand Ave., Portland
Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
Friendly House, 1737 NW 26th Ave., Portland
Bud Clark Commons, 650 N.W. Irving St., Portland

The county website publishes opening decisions every day.

We won’t turn away anyone who comes for shelter. All locations will be pet-friendly and accessible to those with disabilities. According to the county website, free transportation to warming shelters will be offered via TriMet or by contacting 2-1-1.

Washington County

Two emergency shelters in Washington County were initially created on Sunday and will remain open until further notice. All day and all night, the shelters are open.

Beaverton Community Center, 12350 SW 5th St, Beaverton
Blanton Street Building, 20665 SW Blanton St, Hillsboro

According to the county’s website, visitors can expect hot meals, no one will be turned away, and domestic pets are welcome.

Call 9-1-1 if you see someone outside without shelter whose life seems in jeopardy. Otherwise, according to the county website, if you encounter someone you are worried about during the winter months, call the police non-emergency number at 503-629-0111 and ask for a welfare check.

Clackamas County

For the most of the winter, Clackamas County has operated an emergency weather shelter in Oregon City. Until otherwise announced, it will reopen every night.

Father s Heart Street Ministry,

603 12th St., Oregon City

(503-722-9780)

The county website states that service pets (carried or on leash) are welcome. If necessary, family accommodations are also offered.

On its website, Clackamas County provides a list of warming centers during the day.

Lillian Mongeau Hughes and Jamie Hale, both reporters from Oregon, contributed to this story.

Jamie Goldberg is in charge of covering homelessness, education, and politics for The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can contact her at 503-221-8228 or [email protected]. She can be reached on Bluesky at @jamiebgoldberg.bsky.social or on X at @jamiebgoldberg.