NEWS RELEASE: Multnomah County opens two daytime cooling centers Monday, June 15, as next phase of heat response

On this page

  1. State of emergency declared; other resources available
  2. Heat doesn’t affect everyone equally: Who’s most at risk?
  3. Stay informed and check on your community

With temperatures today expected to reach the upper 90s — potentially reaching 100 degrees — Multnomah County will open two dedicated daytime cooling centers from noon to 9 p.m. today, Monday, June 15.

The cooling center locations that will be open from noon to 9 p.m. are:

These two additional cooling centers are just one part of the County’s work to offer relief, joining  dozens of libraries, misting stations, community centers and other cool spaces already open in Multnomah County. 

Four libraries will stay open until 8 p.m. tonight, Monday, June 15 — two hours longer than their usual schedule — offering respite from the heat:

Please note: East County Library will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. as a cooling space only. Library services will not be available after 6 p.m.

Multnomah County also partners with local senior centers and Meals on Wheels People Dining Centers to offer air conditioned spaces providing reprieve from the heat and opportunities for connection that help reduce social isolation.

Flyers with Monday’s cooling center locations can be downloaded and printed/distributed:

  • Flyer with map of locations - English
  • Flyer with map of locations - Spanish
  • Flyer with photos of building entrances - English
  • Flyer with photos of building entrances - Spanish
  • Two-sided flyer (map on one side, photos of building entrances on other) - English
  • Two-sided flyer (map on one side, photos of building entrances on other) - Spanish

Always visit multco.us/hot for the latest information in case new locations are added or cooling centers open on additional days.

This heat event is the first of 2026, coming notably early in the year, before the official arrival of summer. Early-season heat events pose additional risks because people’s bodies have yet to acclimate to summer-like conditions.

The Homeless Services Department has already been providing emergency street outreach services to bring supplies and cooling center information to people living outside. The cooling centers opening today will provide food and water. Pets are welcome.

From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, TriMet won’t turn away anyone who is going to a cooling center who cannot otherwise pay their fare. Please tell your bus operator that you’re heading to or from a cooling center.

If someone in Portland needs help finding a cool space today or for transportation assistance to a cooling location, they can dial 2-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

People in Portland can call 3-1-1 to check their eligibility for a free air conditioning unit by June 30, 2026, and check with their utility company to learn about assistance with energy bills.

Residents may notice wildfire smoke today from easterly winds pushing in smoke from Washington. Health officials emphasize that managing extreme heat remains the top priority, as overheating is more dangerous than smoke exposure for most vulnerable individuals. Fortunately, winds are forecast to shift this afternoon, improving air quality. Monitor real-time updates on the AirNow Fire and Smoke map.

State of emergency declared; other resources available

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency due to dangerous temperatures this week. The emergency is in effect through 10 p.m. Monday. 

Cooling centers and enhanced outreach are just some of the layers in the County’s response to hot weather. 

Dozens of cool spaces, including community centers, libraries, misting stations and splash pads, are listed on this Multnomah County interactive map. For additional help finding a cool space or for transportation assistance to a cooling location, dial 2-1-1. 

Communication before and during a heat event is also a core part of the County’s response — letting vulnerable people know that heat is dangerous, sharing who is most vulnerable to heat illness and how to recognize its signs, and sharing strategies so people can keep themselves, their families, and their neighbors safe.

The Department of County Human Services reaches out to hundreds of property managers across Multnomah County before the summer season to help them prepare for extreme heat. Staff provide tips, resources and information about energy efficiency programs, tenant support and more. That work included attending Multifamily NW’s Annual Maintenance Fair at the Oregon Convention Center in April and dozens of other community events around the County.

The County partners with community-based organizations including Meals on Wheels People, the Center for Positive Aging and others to spread the word about heat concerns and encourage those without air conditioning to seek cooling spaces. The County also contacts vulnerable community members and is distributing a limited supply of cooling towels to community-based organizations, multi-family communities and more.

In addition, the department has led outreach and training throughout the year to help our community prepare for hot weather and ensure we have additional staff and volunteers to support cooling centers if and when cooling centers open. The County’s Weatherization program has been assisting older adults and families on energy efficiencies in homes, as well.

Heat doesn’t affect everyone equally: Who’s most at risk?

The County’s responses to extreme heat and cold are varied based on the community members shown to be most at risk.

Unlike extreme cold — when people living outside are most at risk and when shelter and housing can be the difference between life or death — extreme heat is most dangerous for housed vulnerable people who do not have air conditioning or do not run it because of cost. 

From 2022 to 2024, 13 of the 14 confirmed heat-related deaths were housed residents; most lived alone and without air conditioning. Heat has also particularly affected veterans who may try to “tough out” a heat wave. Overall, veterans accounted for a significant share of all recent heat deaths. 

High temperatures can also be especially dangerous for people spending prolonged time outdoors, the very young, pregnant individuals, those over 50 and people with health conditions. 

Officials warn that cumulative days of heat — especially in apartments with no air conditioning — will increase risks especially for people who are homebound, elderly, or have a disability or underlying health conditions.

People seeking to cool off in our region's waterways should also be particularly mindful. Early in the season, rivers are still running high, with strong currents and very cold water. These conditions can lead to shock and drowning even for experienced swimmers.

Early-season heat events tend to affect people more because our bodies are not acclimated to heat, which can take two weeks of regular exposure.

It's important to take precautions like hydrating, scheduling outdoor exercise or yardwork for the cooler hours, and making a plan to spend time somewhere cool. If you or a family member have had a change in health status or medications since last summer, take extra precautions during this heat event and talk to your doctor about how to manage heat this season. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you see symptoms in yourself or someone around you, call 9-1-1 and seek immediate medical care.

Stay informed and check on your community

If you are concerned someone is in heat distress, ask if they need help finding a cool space.

Heat illness requires action and possibly medical attention. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you're not comfortable approaching someone, call the City of Portland’s non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 and request a “welfare check.” For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1.

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