Emergency shelters in Multnomah County CLOSED, other counties open

After reviewing the forecast, at this time, we do NOT anticipate a Severe Weather Alert will be issued for the evening of Tuesday January 11, 2011 in Multnomah County. Emergency Shelters are open in Clackamas County.

Weather

The National Weather Service predicts the following:

Tuesday Day: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 35. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow and freezing rain before 10pm, then rain, snow, and freezing rain between 10pm and 1am, then rain or freezing rain after 1am. Temperature falling to near 32 by 8pm, and then rising to around 41 during the remainder of the night. East wind 7 to 13 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

The criteria used to determine a Severe Weather Alert and the corresponding opening of Red Cross emergency warming centers would be triggered by the following conditions: Wet conditions with sustained winds greater than15mph and temperatures below 32 degrees, or snow accumulations of 1 inch or more.

Although weather conditions will be wet and challenging for those who are sleeping outside, the winds are not predicted to be sustained at more than 15 miles per hour, the temperature is predicted to remain above 32 degrees, and the snow accumulation is not expected to exceed an inch.

Outreach workers and emergency responders will assist in directing unsheltered people to shelters.

Shelter

• Union Gospel Mission will be open with a total of 50 beds. They expect to be fully utilized.
• Portland Rescue Mission will not open the day center but will have an additional 11 mats bringing the total capacity to 136. They expect to be fully utilized at 136.
• Women’s Warming Center will operate at its maximum capacity of 70 beds. They have been operating at almost full capacity, high 60s, for the last week.

As a reminder, three winter warming centers are open 7 nights a week through March 31st, 2010:

FAMILY WINTER WARMING CENTER: Located at 12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon (on Halsey near 126th Avenue). This is a walk-in facility. Only for families with children under 18.

WOMEN’S WINTER WARMING CENTER: Check in at Transition Projects, 475 NW Glisan, between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to reserve a space for the night. Call 503-823-4930 to check availability. Only for single women.

MEN’S EXPANDED SHELTER: Located at Salvation Army Harbor Light, SW 2nd and Ankeny, between 7:30pm and 7:30am. Call 503-239-1259. Provides seating and hot beverages. Only for single men.

More Information

211info, reached by calling 2-1-1, is open to all callers between 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. Multnomah County callers may also contact 211info between 6:00pm and 10:00pm Monday to Friday, and between 8:00am and 10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. People should call 211info to be directed to shelter locations.

Winter service coordination provided by 211info is made possible by a grant from the Portland Housing Bureau. In partnership with other City departments, Multnomah County and community partners, the Portland Housing Bureau coordinates winter and severe weather shelter and day services for homeless individuals in our community.