Whether we're planning for earthquakes, fires, or floods, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management supports City bureaus in promoting readiness, coordinating response, and building resilience for Portland. Here's a glimpse into what bureaus have been up to this week, as well as their continued work after January's ice storm.
The forecast for snow and wind at the beginning of the week set in motion an emergency response system. We closely coordinated with our partners at Multnomah County and throughout the region.
Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a local emergency due to the weather forecast for snow, wind, and their impacts to the Portland-metro area. This allowed for timely and collaborative decisions to better support our partners.
Portland Bureau of Transportation staffed extra crews working late and arriving early before dawn. They had plows, salt trucks, and a road closure team available overnight. The bureau warned the public two days in advance about the potential for severe weather and continued to advise and warn the public to monitor forecasts and make a plan for an alternate way to travel in the event of snowfall. Read about winter travel tips and road conditions.
Neighborhood Emergency Team volunteers were on standby for deployment instructions to maintain safety perimeters around downed power lines and respond to other community needs.
The Community Organizations Active in Disaster program sent shelter information and a volunteer request to thousands of community members through community-based organizations who represent and serve multicultural and multilingual communities.
Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry teams were ready to respond at any time of day or night to hazardous tree situations and emergency needs citywide. You can always call 503-823-TREE and push 1 for the fastest way to report tree emergencies on City property, including public streets and roads. For non-emergency tree-related questions matters, email trees@portlandoregon.gov
We recognize that many community members are still dealing with damage caused by the January 2024 storm. In an effort to ease the recovery process for affected property owners, Portland Parks & Recreation is offering additional locations where customers can get help submitting tree permit applications. Extra customer support staff are ready to help community members navigate the tree permit application process in person.
The temporary fee waivers for retroactive tree removal permits ends after Feb. 23, 2024.
Conditions are especially dangerous in many parks right now because the January storm caused considerable damage, including large downed trees and powerlines, hanging branches, and other debris on roads and trails. Do not put yourself or others at risk. Please be aware of your surroundings, including conditions overhead. Check trail closures before visiting a city park.
Work in parks is now moving forward robustly. Crews addressed emergency situations first, such as making large thoroughfares clear for emergency. This work will continue through most of March.
For this and any storm, follow the Big Pipe Tracker to see how the Bureau of Environmental Services is protecting the Willamette River from combined sewer overflows when it rains or snows, and be the first to know if a rare overflow occurs.