As the National Weather Service extends its excessive heat warning at least through Saturday, July 30, overnight cooling shelters and a daytime cooling center opened by Multnomah County, the City of Portland and community partners will remain open at least through Friday morning, July 29.
Health officials are urging the public to take care of themselves and check on others, particularly as forecasts show the heat continuing to linger, with worst-case scenarios again threatening triple-digit temperatures later this week.
Emergency medical services responded to 361 calls Tuesday — about 25% higher than a typical summer day; 13 of those were heat-related.
Emergency department visits for heat illness have remained elevated since Sunday. In the past three days, hospitals have treated 13 people for heat illness, when they would normally expect to see two or three. Among those taken to emergency departments were people working outside or exercising outdoors during the heat and older people.
“The thing I really want to make sure people know is that it can happen to you,” said Brendon Haggerty, who oversees the Healthy Homes and Communities program for Multnomah County Environmental Health. “People don’t think they’re at risk from heat. But we have plenty of younger people ending up in the emergency room right now. It’s not cooling off much at night and we’re only halfway through this thing.”
Haggerty urged people to take breaks. Spend time in air conditioned space. And, for those who need help getting to a cooling center or shelter, call 2-1-1.
Also on Wednesday, health officials issued a “Red Day” mandatory wood burning restriction.
“Ozone levels are also pretty bad. For people who have health conditions that might be exacerbated by heat, those conditions can be further exacerbated by ozone,” said Haggerty. “If you can avoid using gas-powered equipment or driving gas cars, that can help keep ozone levels lower.
Shelter capacity expands
About 130 people stayed at cooling shelters overnight Tuesday, reaching a bit over 50% capacity. Anticipating more demand as the heatwave continues, Multnomah County and the City of Portland are expanding capacity at the four existing shelters to accommodate nearly 300 people for tonight at the same four shelters.
The City of Portland and Multnomah County are continuing to monitor weather forecasts, with a plan to keep cooling services available as long as forecasts indicate they are necessary. The County and City are also preparing to add additional cooling sites as needed to ensure no one is turned away.
Cooling shelters and cooling centers provide food and water, and safe, air-conditioned places to rest or sleep. No one will be turned away. Pets are welcome. Watch this video about what to expect in cooling centers.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, staff and guests will be required to wear masks. Staff will work to accommodate guests who might need assistance with wearing a mask. KN95 masks will be available onsite.
Cooling shelter locations
Overnight cooling shelters are open at the following locations:
- Charles Jordan Community Center: 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland
- East Portland Community Center: 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland
- Portland Building: 1120 S.W. 5th Ave., Portland
- Sunrise Center (staffed by Cultivate Initiatives): 18901 E. Burnside, Portland
Cooling center location
A daytime cooling center is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the following location:
- Old Town (staffed by Do Good Multnomah): 435 N.W. Glisan St., Portland
Libraries
Many sites will be open until 8 p.m. daily. Two libraries are extending their open hours until 9 p.m. through Saturday:
- Gresham: 385 N.W. Miller Ave., Gresham
- Holgate: 7905 S.E. Holgate Blvd., Portland
Find these and all locations and hours on the Multnomah County Library website.
Misting stations
The City of Portland will host misting stations from noon to 8 p.m. at six parks. Stop by or sign up to volunteer:
- East Portland Community Center: 740 S.E. 106th Ave. (Sign up to volunteer)
- Glenhaven Park, near skate park: 7900 N.E. Siskiyou St. (Sign up to volunteer)
- Harney Park, near restroom: S,E, 67th Ave. and S,E, Harney St. (Sign up to volunteer)
- Knott Park, west restroom: N.E. 112th Ave. and N.E. Russell St. (Sign up to volunteer)
- Lents Park, at Walker Stadium: 4808 S.E. 92nd Ave. (Sign up to volunteer)
- Mt. Scott Community Center: 5530 S.E. 72nd Ave. (Sign up to volunteer)
Find pools, community centers and other cool community spaces on the County’s interactive map.
Transportation
If someone needs a free ride to somewhere cool, Call 2-1-1. TriMet is also offering free rides to cool spaces for anyone who cannot afford to pay fare.
When riding transit during extreme heat, riders will want to plan extra time and check trimet.org/alerts before traveling, as there may be heat-related delays to service.
Take care of yourself and others
As the heatwave stretches on, officials urge friends and family to check in frequently on people who are older, live alone or don't have air conditioning.
People need breaks from the heat to give their bodies time to recover. Now is the time to invite that person to a movie or the mall, or an air-conditioned restaurant, or spend time in a local library. Offer a ride to a cooling shelter or center for anyone who doesn’t have AC at home.
Share this page with updated information on cooling centers, shelters and other cool spaces: mulco.us/hot
The Multnomah County Behavioral Health Call Center is also available 24 hours a day to support anyone experiencing distress or to support those helping someone else. That includes responding to heat-related welfare checks, as well as resources and referrals for further support. Just dial 503-988-4888 (or toll-free at 800-716-9769; those who are hearing impaired can dial 7-1-1).
If you see someone about whom you are concerned, call the non-emergency response line at 503-823-3333 and request a welfare check.
If you see a person outside during the heat of the day who looks disoriented or confused, don’t assume that person is intoxicated. Those are also signs of heat stroke, which can be deadly. Symptoms could include increased irritability, worry and stress, stumbling or an appearance of intoxication.
If someone’s life appears to be in danger, call 9-1-1.
Bookmark these links
211info: Dial 2-1-1 to find cool spaces near you and for transportation support.
National Weather Service: Check the forecast and plan outdoor activities for the coolest times of day.
Cool places in Multnomah County: Find a library, community center, pool or splash pad near you.
Cool places in Clackamas County: Find cool spaces in Clackamas County.
Cool places in Washington County: Find cool spaces in Washington County.
