With potential snow on the way to the Portland Metro Area, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency and announced they will open warming shelters on Wednesday night.
Updated: 3:30 pm January 16 A weather-related state of emergency has been extended through Wednesday, January 17, as freezing rain is expected Tuesday afternoon, following days of sub-freezing temperatures. The county medical examiner said Tuesday afternoon that two additional people have likely died of hypothermia, bringing the total to four suspected hypothermia death investigations since Friday. The first weather-related death—a man who died in Northeast Portland—was reported Friday, January 12. Another death in North Portland.