Update, February 25, 2:28 pm:

Seven emergency shelters in the Portland area will reopen Saturday at 8 pm through at least Sunday morning. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson extended the regional state of emergency declaration though Monday as forecasts indicate another round of snowfall Saturday evening.

About 849 Portlanders stayed at the emergency shelters Friday night—the busiest night so far during the ongoing winter storm. 

Emergency shelters open at 8 pm:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
  • Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
  • Friendly House, 1737 N.W. 26th Ave., Portland
  • Lloyd Center, 988 Lloyd Center, Portland
  • Cook Plaza, 19415 S.E. Stark St., Gresham

Update, February 24, 4:30 pm:

Lloyd Center mall will remain open overnight Friday, making it the seventh emergency shelter in Portland as the region faces a historic winter storm. As snow accumulation and subfreezing temperatures create life-threatening conditions in the region, city and county officials are urging people to seek shelter.

Officials also urged members of the public to volunteer at shelters Friday and through the weekend. All seven shelters will stay open until at least Saturday morning, and may stay open through the weekend due to another chance of snow.

Emergency shelter locations:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
  • Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
  • Imago Dei, 1302 S.E. Ankeny St., Portland
  • Friendly House, 1737 N.W. 26th Ave., Portland
  • Lloyd Center, 1196 N.E. Halsey St., Portland

Update, February 24, 12:31 pm:

All six emergency weather shelters in Portland will remain open until at least Saturday morning as icy conditions and subfreezing temperatures persist. Officials say there is a “critical need” for volunteers to help run the shelters during the day Friday and into the weekend.

“Our most vulnerable community members are still at risk after days of unrelenting cold,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said at a press conference Friday. “We need help to staff emergency shelters… If you're able to donate your time for even just a partial shelter shift, please consider taking a shift. Your time will help to save lives.”

Emergency shelters reached 96 percent capacity Thursday night as 656 people sought relief from the freezing temperatures and icy conditions. More than 500 people were transported to shelters through coordination with 211, the county helpline, and city and county ground transportation services. The county and city are currently looking to expand capacity at existing shelters, as well as open additional locations. Officials are currently working with Lloyd Center—which has acted as a daytime warming space during the storm—to potentially set up additional shelter beds in the mall.

Temperatures are expected to peak around 32 degrees Friday and drop to 19 degrees overnight. The National Weather Service is predicting a mix of rain and snow this weekend, which may cause the city of Portland and Multnomah County to extend their state of emergency declarations into next week.

Members of the public are encouraged to volunteer at shelters Friday afternoon and through the weekend. In particular, the Charles Jordan shelter in North Portland is operating at half staff and the Salvation Army and Friendly House shelters are also low staffed. Volunteers help distribute meals and supplies, as well as facilitate operations at the shelters. Volunteers are encouraged to take a two-hour online training ahead of their shift, if possible. Sign up information can be found on the county’s website.

“Because we're not expecting the conditions outside to improve today, we know that the risk to people unsheltered and without adequate warmth in extremely low temperatures, ice, and inches of snow is very dangerous and life threatening,” Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said Friday. “We're looking for anyone out in the community who is available to come forward, sign up for shift, and spread the word and help us fill this critical need.”

Emergency shelter locations:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
  • Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
  • Imago Dei, 1302 S.E. Ankeny St., Portland
  • Friendly House, 1737 N.W. 26th Ave., Portland

Update, February 23, 3:30 pm:

Two additional emergency weather shelters will open in Portland Thursday at 8 pm, increasing emergency shelter capacity to approximately 700 beds across all six locations in the city.

City and county officials are asking members of the public—especially those who live within safe walking distance to a shelter—to volunteer at shelters on Friday. Volunteers can find signup opportunities on the county's website and are encouraged to watch a two-hour virtual training before the start of their assigned shift.

More than 320 people sought refuge from the snow at emergency shelters Wednesday night. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner has identified one suspected hypothermia death from Wednesday. If members of the public see someone outside who they believe is not dressed warmly enough or who may otherwise need help, they can call the City of Portland non-emergency line at  503-823-3333 to request a welfare check.

Shelters open overnight starting at 8 pm Thursday:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
  • Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
  • Imago Dei, 1302 S.E. Ankeny St., Portland
  • Friendly House, 1737 N.W. 26th Ave., Portland

Update, February 23, 11:10 am:

Three emergency shelters in Portland will stay open throughout the day Thursday after record-breaking snowfall blanketed the city. All four emergency shelters will also remain open overnight starting at 8 pm.

The Portland region saw nearly 11 inches of snow Wednesday—the highest single-day snowfall recorded in the city since 1943. While it's unlikely the city will see additional snowfall, the National Weather Service predicts a high of 29 degrees Thursday and low of 18 degrees overnight, preserving the snow through the end of the week.

All Multnomah County libraries are closed due to the weather, so officials are urging residents seeking daytime refuge to go to Lloyd Center.

Depending on staff and volunteer levels, the city and county may open two additional shelters Thursday night. Anyone who lives within safe walking distance to a shelter is encouraged to sign up for volunteer opportunities on the Multnomah County website.

Due to emergency declarations in the city and Multnomah County, TriMet will take riders to warming locations regardless of their ability to pay fare. However, snow accumulation has caused major delays in bus service and TriMet has temporarily suspended 18 bus lines. People seeking a ride to a shelter can also call 211 for assistance.

Daytime shelters open Thursday:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland

Shelters open overnight as of 8 pm Thursday:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
  • Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland

Original story, February 22, 11:30 am:

Four emergency weather shelters will open Wednesday at 8 pm in Portland as the region plunges into frigid winter conditions. While daytime temperatures are expected to sit in the 30s and 40s, overnight temperatures could be life-threatening for people living outside.

The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory Wednesday night into Thursday, predicting a low of 23 degrees and a small chance of snow. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Mayor Ted Wheeler made emergency declarations Wednesday, permitting the city and county to create nearly 500 emergency shelter beds across the four severe weather shelters. 

Shelters are expected to close Thursday at 10 am as temperatures rise above freezing. The Gresham and Hollywood library locations will open at 9 am Thursday, one hour earlier than normal, and act as daytime warming spaces for anyone looking to escape the cold and wet conditions. Shelters will likely reopen Thursday night as overnight lows hover around 20 degrees.

TriMet will take riders to warming locations regardless of their ability to pay fare. People seeking a ride to a shelter can also call 211 for assistance. The Joint Office of Homeless Services will conduct cold weather outreach throughout the week, distributing coats, gloves, sleeping bags, and helping homeless residents get access to shelter during the freeze. While Portland Commissioner Rene Gonzalez banned the Portland Street Response—which he oversees—from distributing tents and tarps to people living outside, other outreach workers will continue to provide tents, tarps, and other cold weather gear to unhoused residents needing protection from the wind and rain.

Shelters opening at 8 pm Wednesday:

  • Arbor Lodge, 7440 N. Denver Ave., Portland
  • Salvation Army, 5325 N. Williams Ave., Portland
  • East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
  • Charles Jordan Community Center, 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland