A man found dead on a steep hillside off a busy Southwest Portland street apparently died of hypothermia, police said. He's the fourth person to die of exposure this year in Portland.

Someone called 911 around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday to report seeing the body down an embankment near the 4900 block of Southwest Barbur Boulevard, said Portland police spokesman Sgt. Chris Burley. Police think the man, 29, was likely living in the woods below the street.

At a press conference Tuesday evening, Portland Police Chief Mike Marshman said the body was likely there for a few days before it was discovered. Police have declined to say what the circumstances were leading to its discovery.

Police haven't publicly identified the man pending notification of relatives. They said he appeared to have died of exposure based on preliminary information.

Person found dead on hillside in Portland 27 Gallery: Person found dead on hillside in Portland

Portland firefighters and investigators had to rappel down the embankment to reach the body, Burley said. It has been difficult for investigators to gather evidence because of the steepness and heavy vegetation, Burley said.

The body was found on a forested stretch of the five-lane boulevard, away from any businesses or apartment complexes.

Police blocked some lanes of Barbur as they investigate and warned of traffic delays possibly through the afternoon commute. Traffic was congested for several miles on the westbound side of the boulevard on Tuesday morning.

If you need help:

There is a list of warming centers that is constantly updated at 211info.org. You can also call 2-1-1.

Use public buildings, such as libraries and community centers, to get warm during that day. 211info.org also lists shelters that are open during the day.

If you want to help:

Homeless service organizations need new or lightly used clean clothing and supplies -- hats, coats, gloves, socks, men's and women's underwear, tents, sleeping bags, blankets and tarps. Visit 211info.org/donations to find out where you can drop off items or donate money.

Also, if you see someone outside who appears to be in danger or is in the midst of a medical crisis, call 91-1. If you are concerned about them having proper gear or should be contacted by services, call the Portland Police non-emergency line 503-823-3333 and ask for a welfare check for that person. Knowing their location is helpful.

If you can talk with that person, call 2-1-1 so they can find shelter and transportation to a warm, safe location.

-- Everton Bailey Jr. and Samantha Matsumoto

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey

smatsumoto@oregonian.com

503-221-4001; @SMatsumoto55

Molly Harbarger and Jim Ryan of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report