Someone passed away from hypothermia. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner verified on Tuesday that Sunday was the first confirmed cold-related death in Oregon this year. The fatality occurs while Portland is still experiencing a cold snap.
According to authorities, the unnamed guy passed away in Southwest Portland. According to officials, this inquiry was able to go forward swiftly, but normally it takes the county weeks or even months to confirm a death from hypothermia. They didn’t say why.
Due to temperatures falling short of the 25-degree, precipitation-free threshold that the county has established for the opening of overnight shelters, Multnomah County’s cold weather shelters stayed closed over the weekend. The Portland metro area is expected to experience freezing rain and snow overnight, prompting the county to activate emergency cold weather shelters for the first time on Tuesday.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson falsely claimed that three city citizens had perished from hypothermia during a press conference on Tuesday. No further confirmed or suspected hypothermia deaths were reported by the county.
Last year, when a deadly ice storm swept through Oregon in January, nine people perished from hypothermia. According to a county assessment, that storm alone claimed the lives of five persons.
This year, officials said to The Oregonian/OregonLive, they are better prepared to help people in frigid weather. On Tuesday, the county will operate three overnight shelters with a combined capacity of 240 individuals. Shelters will also be opened in Washington and Clackamas counties.
Austin De Dios reports on programs, politics, and other topics in Multnomah County. You can reach him at @AustinDeDios, [email protected], or 503-319-9744.
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