Although temperatures have receded from record-setting highs earlier this week, health officials warn that you shouldn’t let your guard down.
Nighttime temperatures have remained warmer than usual, and heat risk remains high. And heat’s most harmful effects are cumulative — especially as a significant heat event lingers.
It’s just as important today to check on loved ones and neighbors. Even a short break from the heat — going to a cooling center or a library, finding shade, or accessing cooling supplies distributed from the County and the Joint Office of Homeless Services’ outreach warehouse — can make a difference.
To ensure vulnerable people are being contacted, the Department of County Human Services’ Regional Health and Human Services Contact Center has continued direct outreach to hundreds of seniors, clients and property managers.
Beginning on Friday, Aug. 11, the call center identified and reached out to roughly 570 unique property owners or managers, speaking with or leaving messages for 448. The call center’s list was developed by the Multnomah County Health Department and the Portland Housing Bureau, including properties in urban heat islands and with tenants who might be more at risk of heat-related impacts because of their income status and/or age. The County also sent 631 emails with additional information and resources to share with residents.
On Monday, Aug. 14, and Tuesday, Aug. 15, the call center also reached out to 822 households who receive long-term services and support, speaking with 440 and leaving messages with 295. Of those households, 326 speak languages other than English, representing 31 total languages.
Brendon Haggerty, manager of the Health Department’s Healthy Homes & Communities program, is urging 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
Cooling centers reopen Wednesday; more than 300 people found respite Tuesday
The three daytime cooling centers that will open again from 1 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 continue to 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.
In addition to these sites, many other cool spaces — including Multnomah County libraries, as well as locations operated by community partners — are open throughout the community and in downtown Portland.
People who don’t have access to a cool place should strongly consider spending time at a cooling center or a cool space 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.
On Tuesday, Aug. 15, a cumulative total of 335 people found respite at the three cooling centers, up from more than 220 on Monday and 120 on Sunday.
Health officials say 911 calls have been elevated, with close to 400 again on Tuesday, but with 22 specifically related to heat — still short of the level seen during the 2021 heat dome. Emergency department visits are below the levels seen during the extended July 2022 heat wave, health officials also said.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Program on Tuesday, Aug. 15, reported it is investigating a suspected heat death that occurred Monday, Aug. 14.
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. The areas affected by the bloom are changing — stretching as of late Tuesday from the Ross Island Lagoon to Cathedral Park. Please avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in those areas.
If you are unsure about the safety of water, when in doubt, stay out. Learn more about how to swim and splash safely.
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.
Find updated maps to the cooling centers
Burn ban remains in effect due to air pollution, hot temperatures
A mandatory wood burning restriction for residents in Multnomah County remains in effect Wednesday, Aug. 16. Health officials issued the restrictions because of hot temperatures and air pollution across the Portland metro area.
Forecasts call for ground-level ozone and increased air pollution. Multnomah County ordinance requires people refrain from having fires to protect health until the advisory is lifted. This restriction echoes the County Fire Board’s burn ban for safety and Department of Environmental Quality’s Ozone advisory. To view restrictions or submit a complaint, visit multco.us/woodsmokestatus or call 503-988-0035. Protect your health and do not add to pollution.
Libraries open today offer relief
The following Multnomah County libraries are open today. Some library locations open today will be available until 8 p.m. Always confirm hours and locations before you go. 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.
- 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 Avenue)
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
Joint Office of Homeless Services and community providers ensure survival supplies reach people without shelter
The Joint Office of Homeless Services has continued its work, launched last Thursday, Aug. 10, supporting outreach teams, mutual aid groups and community volunteers by coordinating outreach efforts to 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 this week.
So far since Aug. 10, the County’s outreach supply center has distributed 2,660 reusable drinking bottles, 142,754 individual bottles of water, 5,320 cooling towels, 13,300 electrolyte packs, 13,400 sunscreen packets and 2,660 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.