From the Archives: Multnomah County and the City of Portland open three cooling centers as high-risk heat arrives

August 13, 2023

Multnomah County and the City of Portland will open three cooling centers Sunday afternoon as temperatures are forecast to shoot up to 102 degrees before hitting a scorching 104 degrees on Monday. 

People who don’t have a cool place to be should strongly consider spending time at a cooling center or one of the cool spaces listed on this interactive map of libraries, splash pads and other sites. The three daytime cooling centers will provide food and water in safe, air-conditioned places to hang out. No one will be turned away and pets are welcome. TriMet will transport anyone going to a cooling space for free. Anyone needing additional transportation help should call 2-1-1.

The three cooling centers will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.:

County and City declare an emergency 

Multnomah County and the City of Portland both declared an emergency for the highest risk heat days, with declarations that take effect on Sunday, Aug. 13 at noon through the event to allow County departments and City bureaus increased flexibility to respond.

Copies of the states of emergency will be posted on multco.us/hot.

City of Portland offers expanded relief at splash pads and misting stations

Portland Parks & Recreation has already expanded splash pad hours this year, with sites open from 10 a.m. to 8 pm. through Labor Day. In addition, interactive fountains for water play have varying hours, posted on this web page.

The Portland Water Bureau also just installed water misting stations at 14 Portland parks, with cool water spraying 24 hours a day through Thursday, Aug. 17. The sites include: 

  • Argay Park, 3898 N.E. 141st Ave.
  • Glenhaven Park, 8000 N.E. Siskiyou St.
  • Floyd Light Park/Rose Petal Fountain, 10620 S.E. Stark St.
  • Harney Park, 8498 S.E. 67th Ave.
  • Holladay Park, 1198 N.E. Multnomah St.
  • Knott Park, 2505 N.E. 117th Ave.
  • Lents Park, 4603 S.E. 92nd Ave.
  • Lynchwood Park, 17301 S.E. Haig St.
  • McKenna Park, 7129 N. Wall St.
  • Mt. Scott Community Center, 5527 S.E. 72nd Ave.
  • Normandale Park, 1260 N.E. 57th Ave.
  • Powell Park, Curb Service south of Powell in S.E. 22nd Ave.
  • Wilshire Park, 3350 N.E. Skidmore St.
  • Woodstock Park, 4701 S.E. 47th Ave.

Libraries open Sunday literally offer relief

The following Multnomah County libraries will be open Sunday. If you don’t see your library on this list, remember that several libraries are closed for construction. Always check hours and locations before you go.

Joint Office of Homeless Services continues stepped up outreach

Since Aug. 10, the Joint Office of Homeless Services has worked with outreach teams, mutual aid groups and community volunteers to coordinate outreach efforts and bring hot weather gear to people living without shelter across Multnomah County. That coordinated outreach will continue through the weekend and into the coming week. The County’s outreach supply center has so far distributed 900 reusable drinking bottles, 46,526 individual bottles of water, 1,800 cooling towels, 4,500 electrolyte packs, 4,500 sunscreen packets, and 900 misting bottles that will be distributed to people in need.

If you or someone you know needs help finding a place to cool off, please dial 2-1-1.

Air conditioning is a key to staying safe 

Brendon Haggerty, manager of the Health Department’s Healthy Homes & Communities program, urged everyone to find an air-conditioned space for even a few hours of relief — whether they are housed or houseless. While the heat risk to people living outside is well understood, many people don’t realize how dangerous heat is to elders, young children and people with health conditions such as heart disease. The majority of those who died in Multnomah County of extreme heat during the June 2021 heat dome and heat waves since were alone in their own homes and either didn’t have air conditioning or had not turned it on.

People are often reluctant to turn on air conditioning because of the expense.

“Air conditioning is life saving,’’ Haggerty said. “It's worth the extra electricity cost during an emergency." 

Here are resources for people who need help with costs:

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