In the Portland area, winter weather hasn’t overtaken the streets but some cities are already preparing for frigid temperatures by opening additional shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
Some experts predict that this will be the second consecutive winter with La Niña conditions, which is the opposite of the warmer El Niño pattern. Rebecca Muessle, from the National Weather Service in Portland, said La Niña conditions, which cool parts of the Pacific Ocean, have already developed as of mid-October.
While Pete Parsons, a meteorologist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, expects November temperatures to be normal, he said December could see below normal digits and above average rain and snow. He said early in the new year residents can expect cooler than average conditions as well.
Individuals living outside have an increased risk of becoming severely ill or dying from exposure-related conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. These life-threatening conditions can set in at temperatures between 32 and 50 degrees, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Experts from the coalition advise cities to open shelters before temperatures drop that far.
In Portland, the past weeks have seen lows in the mid 40s to low 50s, according to the National Weather Service. This week, the high will be 50 degrees and drop to 36 degrees on the coldest night.
In Multnomah County, two shelters – the former Greyhound Station at 550 NW 6th Avenue in Old Town Chinatown and the Walnut Park Shelter at 5411 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard – that opened last winter have stayed open all year. For the coming winter, the Walnut Park shelter has shifted to keep its doors open 24-hours instead of just at night.
The Arbor Lodge Shelter, at the former Rite Aid at North Lombard Street and Denver Avenue, opened last winter as a temporary severe weather shelter during both frigid conditions and heat waves. The shelter will fully open for the first time on Friday and will be open all winter long, said Denis Theriault, communications coordinator for the joint city-county homeless office. In addition to indoor shelter beds, the site will have sleeping pods in the parking lot. More information about the shelter and severe weather plans will be announced Friday morning, he said.
In Washington County, the winter shelter program has expanded this year to provide an additional 187 beds for families, medically vulnerable individuals and adults experiencing homelessness. This includes both additional congregate shelter beds and hotel vouchers.
The county’s winter shelter program began Monday and will run through mid-March. The shelters connect residents to housing case management services, are service animal friendly and provide up to two meals a day. To access shelter, individuals must call 503-640-3263 to register.
This story will be updated as more winter shelters are announced.
Nicole Hayden reports on homelessness for The Oregonian|OregonLive. She can be reached at nhayden@oregonian.com or on Twitter @Nicole_A_Hayden.
"severe" - Google News
November 17, 2021 at 05:45AM
https://ift.tt/3Hsr594
Portland area prepares severe weather shelters for homeless - oregonlive.com
"severe" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2OrY17E
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Portland area prepares severe weather shelters for homeless - oregonlive.com"
Post a Comment