Emergency Weather Warning For Portland Area

In Multnomah County beginning Friday, Dec. 24, through Jan. 3, Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kaufoury, declares a state of emergency. This follows a press conference on Thursday. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler joined Kaufoury in declaring an emergency beginning at 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve through Dec. 31. “This is going to be a very challenging Christmas season and we all need to prepare,” Kaufoury said during the conference. “Your electricity will not be shut off due to nonpayment through Jan. 2,” Kaufoury added.

Commissioner Dan Ryan asked people to shovel their sidewalks and look in on housed and unhoused neighbors. Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines warned Portlanders about the risks of hypothermia.

“It can happen slowly and it can also happen quickly if someone is wet and without shelter,” Vines said. Vines asked people not to assume someone who seems disoriented is intoxicated, noting symptoms of hypothermia can look similar to intoxication. Instead, she suggested seeking help for individuals who appear in any kind of distress during the cold weather.

The amount of snow Portland could see is still up in the air, but most forecasters expect a noticeable amount by Sunday. “Anywhere between 1 to 4 inches of snow possible through Sunday night,” said Daniel Hartsock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland.