After yet another record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures reaching 99 degrees or higher from July 5 to 9, Multnomah County and partners wound down five days of cooling center operations as weather conditions finally cooled on Wednesday, July 10.
Multnomah County and its community partners opened three daytime cooling centers that welcomed a cumulative total of 651 guests through the activation. Those spaces ran from Friday, July 5, through Tuesday, July 9. Two critical service providers contracted with the County, Do Good Multnomah and Cultivate Initiatives, provided invaluable support in the operation of cooling centers at Portland Covenant Church and Cook Plaza respectively. Guests also stayed at the Hugo hotel in northeast Portland and at Congregation Beth Israel in northwest Portland after the Hugo closed due to HVAC issues.
The cooling centers saw a steady increase in visitors after 25 people sought respite the first day the centers were open on Friday, July 5. The number of guests rose to 98 people on Saturday, July 6, then 158 people on Sunday, July 7, and 168 on Monday, July 8. On the final day cooling centers were open, Tuesday, July 9, 202 people spent time at a cooling center.
People also found relief at Multnomah County Library branches that offered visitors water bottles and also extended hours until 9 p.m. at the Gresham and Central libraries. On July 5, 127 people spent time at the Gresham and Central libraries during extended hours, as did 125 people on Saturday, July 6, and 137 people on Sunday, July 7. On Monday, July 8, 139 people spent time at Central Library’s extended hours, and 154 did so on Tuesday, July 9.
The County and its partners updated an interactive map daily where community members could find nearby cooling centers, splash pads, fountains and other places to cool off. That online map was visited more than 13,000 times between July 2 and 11.
According to the National Weather Service, the heatwave tied the record for the longest streak of days that reached 99 degrees or higher in Multnomah County, lasting five consecutive days. Tuesday marked the peak of the heatwave, with the Portland International Airport reaching 104 degrees.
No one was turned away from cooling centers, pets were welcomed, and free transportation was available with TriMet offering rides to and from the cooling centers for anyone unable to pay fare. Over the course of the event, 211 Info received 72 requests for rides to or from cooling centers and other cool spaces and transported 96 riders.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, July 3 — effective from noon Friday, July 5, through noon Monday, July 8. That declaration was extended until Wednesday, July 10, at 10 p.m.
Mayor Ted Wheeler also declared a state of emergency for the City of Portland. And Governor Tina Kotek declared a statewide emergency Friday, July 5, enabling even greater collaboration, resources and support for Oregon counties, including Multnomah County.
Cooling centers were supported throughout the emergency event by additional staffing coordinated with systemwide partners. The Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management also provided contingency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
“Heat waves pose a very serious risk and are among the most dangerous natural disasters,” said Chris Voss, director of Multnomah County Emergency Management. “We don’t just plan for these events when we see elevated temperatures in the forecast, we plan for these events throughout the year. And when we open up locations, they are available for everyone. This work is only possible through immense collaboration with all of our partners, so that when we do see a risk to the community, we can act quickly and make sure we have the resources to keep people safe.”
Thousands of vulnerable residents contacted through outreach
The County also conducted extensive and repeated outreach to people at particular risk — including those experiencing homelessness, seniors and older adults, particularly those living alone and without air conditioning. Beginning July 3 and in the days after, the Department of County Human Services (DCHS) contacted over 8,700 providers and vulnerable people in housing with information on how to stay safe and find relief.
County staff also called nearly 900 property managers with information on when to do welfare checks and to ask that they post safety information for their tenants. In collaboration with Multnomah County Environmental Health and the County's Passenger Transport Unit, which ensures safe transportation for those needing rides to County warming or cooling centers, County staff conducted targeted outreach on properties identified as higher-risk for residents due to location, age of building, and the number of units, with a goal to provide critical information on heat safety and cooling centers.
Even as temperatures began to fall on Wednesday, July 10, outreach that had started the week before to vulnerable community members continued. County employees reach out to vulnerable populations before, during and after inclement weather to provide on-going support and assessment.
The Joint Office of Homeless Services also worked with outreach teams, mutual aid groups and community volunteers to coordinate outreach efforts and bring cooling gear and water to people living without shelter across Multnomah County. Street outreach teams went to every corner of the county, covering 37 “zones,” each day between July 3 and 10. In addition to supplies, outreach workers were able to provide information about cooling centers, their locations and other helpful information during the heatwave.
Between July 3 and 10, the Joint Office of Homeless Services supply center, provided outreach groups with the following life-saving cooling supplies and water:
- 110,952 individual bottles of water
- 11,400 electrolyte packets
- 11,400 sunscreen packets
- 4,560 cooling towels
- 2,140 reusable drinking bottles
- 2,280 misting bottles
On July 3 alone, the Joint Office supplied providers with 29,040 water bottles — breaking one-day distribution records for the department.
Health Department responding
Emergency Medical Services saw 77 9-1-1 calls related to heat-related illnesses during the heat emergency. Emergency rooms and urgent care visits were also elevated for heat-related illness and saw a total of 60 patients. On a typical summer day, emergency departments and urgent care facilities would see three or fewer visits for heat.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Program reported investigations into six suspected heat-related deaths of Multnomah County residents in connection with the state of emergency declared July 5 through July 10 amid dangerous temperatures. Additionally, on Saturday, July 6, a 33-year-old man was transported from outside Multnomah County to a Portland hospital, where he then died. This individual was a Clackamas County resident.
For the first time, Multnomah County Community Health Center’s new mobile medical unit pivoted from its normal schedule to be stationed at cooling centers and the Behavioral Health Resource Center during the heat stretch. The van provides access to comprehensive medical care, including dental cleanings plus behavioral health and specialty referrals — helping eliminate transportation barriers to care.
Additionally, Central City Concern supported medical care over the weekend with one of their medical vans, which were funded in part by the Supportive Housing Services Measure through the Joint Office of Homeless Services.
Before this partnership, the level of medical care available at County cooling and warming spaces was limited because the spaces are not licensed clinics. Mobile medical units are licensed and can provide medical services, including wound care and access to some medication, right from the van. The vans also provide weekly support to the community when there is no inclement weather.
“The health center mobile medical van goes out and it’s able to provide medical care in a way that we haven’t been able to do before,” said Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno. “During the heatwave, we were able to use our van at some of the cooling centers, which means we could be on site for people who are in great need.”
Air conditioning is a key to staying safe
During the recent heatwave, 211 staff saw a marked increase in requests for air conditioning units. People who still need a unit should call 211 to get more information about available options.
The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund’s Cooling Portland program also offers cooling units to eligible Portland residents through a long-term strategic program. Apply online or call 3-1-1. Please note, there is a waitlist to receive a unit. Eligible applicants will be prioritized based on the following risk factors: over 60 years of age, have medical conditions that increase risk of heat-related illness, and are living alone. Units cannot be provided immediately.
In 2023 alone, Multnomah County, in partnership with community-based organizations, installed over 1,200 heat pumps (for heating and cooling) for individuals and families identified as high-risk by the Department of County Human Services. In 2022, 175 heat pumps were installed. In addition, the department has distributed 6,000 cooling kits between 2022 and 2024.
The Department of County Human Services offers a program to replace wood stoves with heat pumps for both heating and cooling. While the program is open to all, priority is given to low- and moderate-income households in specific areas. The program is also available to rental units with homeowner approval. For more information, visit multco.us/dchs/wood-burning-exchange.
Learn about the resources available to lower utility bills, support energy efficiency and services available to income-qualifying individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities.
As these heat waves become more common, community members are encouraged to continue to stay in touch and check-in on neighbors, friends, relatives, seniors and older adults throughout the summer, especially those who do not have air conditioning or a cool space.