PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — As temperatures are forecasted to soar to 100 degrees early this week, Clackamas and Multnomah County are urging residents to take precautions during the extreme heat.
Clackamas County is advising people to monitor themselves, friends, family, and pets, and to visit local cooling centers if they lack air conditioning.
These centers are available in communities such as Canby, Estacada, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Molalla, Oregon City, Sandy, Welches, West Linn, and Wilsonville.
Clackamas County is also assessing the needs of vulnerable populations, including those who are unsheltered. Arrangements may include access to overnight sheltering at The Father’s Heart in Oregon City, with decisions made by 11 a.m. each day and updates posted on the county’s website.
As a heatwave grips the Portland metropolitan area, Multnomah County has opted not to open cooling centers on the first day, instead extending hours at several libraries to provide relief from the heat.
Children in the city are finding relief at the interactive splash pads around Portland.
Wren, a young visitor, shared her excitement about spending the day at the splash pad. “I’m having fun in this splash pad,” she said.
Having visited the splash pad a couple of times before, Wren expressed her thoughts on the weather, saying, “It’s very hot.” When asked about her favorite activities during the heat, she replied, “Um, go swimming.”
Wren mentioned that she sometimes swims in a river or at a pool, but the splash pad remains a favorite spot. “It’s like… How there’s different, like, features in it,” she said, describing the appeal of the splash pad. She noted that the center of the splash pad is the most fun, saying, “There’s no water in the center. So you can have, like, look toward and see where you’re going.”
As Portland continues to experience high temperatures, splash pads, in addition to community pools, libraries and other daytime cooling buildings offer a refreshing escape for children like Wren.
A map of Portland’s interactive splashpads can be found on portland.gov.
PAST COVERAGE: Oregonians urged to prepare for heat
Chris Voss, Director of Emergency Management for Multnomah County, said, “Today we’re not opening cooling centers, but we actually have some libraries, Albina, Central and Midland, that are all actually going to be open extra hours today if people are looking for some places to stay cool.”
Voss explained that the county also extended outreach efforts that began last Thursday, focusing on vulnerable populations, particularly the unsheltered.
“We have teams that actually work primarily with the unsheltered houseless, so they will actually go out to people in the field and sometimes they’ll provide water, electrolytes, but also keep them informed about what’s going on,” he said.
The county’s decision not to open cooling centers today is based on the assessment that the first day of a heatwave typically poses less risk. “Often the first day, knowing that that highest risk is often for people that are actually housed and live alone, it takes a few days for those apartments to typically heat up if you don’t have air,” Voss said.
The county will continue to evaluate the situation daily, considering factors such as increased 911 calls and emergency room visits. “Every day we have that conversation to make sure that we’re aligned,” Voss said, noting that the county is prepared to open shelters if conditions worsen.
Current conditions do not meet the thresholds for opening cooling centers based on the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk index.
Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, wear loose, light-colored clothing, and check on neighbors and family members, especially those who live alone. “If you do have air conditioning to share, please open up your home,” Voss advised.
The county will reassess the need for cooling centers tomorrow, as the forecast indicates a potential increase in risk.
The American Red Cross is also advising residents to stay hydrated, cool, and connected during the heat wave. “Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives,” said Priscilla Fuentes, Chief Executive Officer of the Cascades Region.
The Red Cross recommends drinking water every 20 minutes, spending time in air-conditioned places, and checking on friends and neighbors, especially older adults and those with chronic conditions.
All those within the advisory area are encouraged to recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses, which can develop quickly and impair judgment. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea.
The recommended action is to move to a cool place, hydrate, and apply cool wet towels.
For heat stroke, which is a medical emergency, symptoms include confusion, high body temperature, loss of consciousness, and damp or dry skin. The immediate action is to call 911.
To stay cool and safe, residents can find cooling resources by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org. Different agencies recommend checking on vulnerable people, hydrating frequently, wearing loose, light-colored clothing, and taking cool showers.
High heat also increases fire danger and strains the power grid.
All are urged to prevent wildfires by following local burn bans and reporting unsafe conditions immediately. To conserve energy, avoid running major appliances during peak hours and reduce electricity use to help prevent power outages.
Oregonians can report price gouging of essential goods or lodging during a heatwave or other severe weather events to the Oregon Department of Justice website or by calling 503-378-8442.
For more information and to stay informed, residents can sign up for alerts at ORAlert.gov.