Multnomah County and the City of Portland will reopen three daytime cooling centers Monday afternoon as temperatures are expected to reach a scorching 104 degrees, with 100-plus degree heat also forecast for Tuesday.
The three daytime cooling centers that will be open again from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. today are:
- Multnomah County East, 600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham, staffed by Multnomah County employees.
- Cook Plaza, 19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham, staffed by Cultivate Initiatives.
- Old Town Cooling Center, 435 N.W. Glisan St., Portland, staffed by Do Good Multnomah.
Lloyd Center will serve as an additional cooling space where the public can come inside and cool off during regular mall hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
People who don’t have access to a cool place 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.
Multnomah County and the City of Portland both declared states of emergency effective Sunday, Aug. 13, that continue this week, allowing County departments and City bureaus increased flexibility to respond.
Copies of the City and County states of emergency are posted on this page.
The County also reminds people seeking relief in rivers, lakes and streams to stay safe. Toxic algae has been detected on the Willamette River in Portland and waterways at Sauvie Island. Learn more about how to swim and splash safely.
Find updated maps to the cooling centers
Libraries open today offer relief
The following Multnomah County libraries are open today. Always check hours and locations before you go. Many libraries today are open until 8 p.m., including the Hollywood branch, which is offering extended hours today. Remember that several libraries are closed for construction.
- Belmont, 1038 S.E. César E. Chávez Blvd.
- Fairview Columbia, 1520 N.E. Village St.
- Gresham, 385 N.W. Miller Ave.
- Hillsdale, 1525 S.W. Sunset Blvd.
- Hollywood, 4040 N.E. Tillamook St. (extended hours today: staying open until 8 p.m.)
- Kenton, 8226 N. Denver Ave.
- Northwest, 2300 N.W. Thurman St.
- Rockwood, 17917 S.E. Stark St.
- Sellwood-Moreland, 7860 S.E. 13th Ave.
- St. Johns, 7510 N. Charleston Ave.
- Troutdale, 2451 S.W. Cherry Park Rd.
- Woodstock, 6008 S.E. 49th Ave.
- Community Technology Space, 730 S.W. 10th Ave., Suite 111 (enter on S.W. 9th Ave.)
City of Portland splash pads and misting stations are open
Portland Parks & Recreation has already expanded splash pad hours this year, with sites open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day. In addition, interactive fountains for water play have varying hours, posted on this 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 Ave.
- Mt. Scott Community Center, 5527 S.E. 72nd Ave.
- Normandale Park, 1260 N.E. 57th Ave.
- Powell Park, Curb Service, south of Powell Blvd. in S.E. 22nd Ave.
- Wilshire Park, 3350 N.E. Skidmore St.
- Woodstock Park, S.E. 47th Avenue and Steele Street
Data from pilot program monitoring apartment temperatures demonstrates importance of air conditioning
To better understand real-time conditions in vulnerable community members' homes, the Multnomah County Health Department worked with the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management this year to install 55 indoor temperature sensors in three Home Forward apartment buildings. Data collected yesterday showed that the temperatures in the buildings were elevated during the hottest parts of the day, and many of the apartments had temperatures in the upper 80s for three to five hours.
While the heat risk to people living outside is well understood, many people don’t realize how dangerous heat is to housed people, especially elders, young children, and people with health conditions such as heart disease. The majority of people who died from extreme heat in Multnomah County during the June 2021 heat dome and the heat waves since were alone in their own homes and either didn’t have air conditioning or had not turned it on.
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.
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:
- PGE offers income-qualified assistance: https://portlandgeneral.com/income-qualified-bill-discount
- Utility assistance through the Multnomah County weatherization program: https://www.multco.us/dchs/energy-assistance
Joint Office of Homeless Services continues stepped up outreach
The Joint Office of Homeless Services on Aug. 10 began working 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 and distribution of gear to people without shelter will continue through the coming week.
So far since Aug. 10, the County’s outreach supply center has 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 for people in need.
If you or someone you know needs help finding a place to cool off, please dial 2-1-1.
