Three people who died over the holiday weekend likely died from heat-related causes, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office reports.
On Friday, July 5, a man was found in the 97230 ZIP code, which includes East Multnomah County, parts of Northeast Portland, and Gresham. The county says his death is being investigated as potentially heat-related.
The medical examiner is also investigating the deaths of two men found in separate ZIP codes Sunday, July 7.
County officials say another man who died at a Portland hospital after being transported from outside the county, may have also died from the heat.
Multnomah County has yet to release any additional details about those who died, or the circumstances of their deaths.
“All deaths are still considered suspected cases and are under investigation as potential hot-weather-related deaths,” a Monday, July 8 announcement from the county states. “Investigators say confirmation will not be complete for several weeks to months. Further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially hot-weather-related. In some cases, the deaths may be found to have had other causes.”
The reported fatalities come as Oregon, and much of the west coast, is experiencing an excessive heat wave driving temperatures into the triple digits. Multnomah County, the city of Portland, and the state of Oregon each declared a state of emergency last Friday due to the heat.
In response, Multnomah County has also opened three cooling centers—including one in Gresham—to offer respite from the heat. The centers, which reopened Monday at noon, are open until 10 pm and offer water, snacks and air conditioned spaces. Cooling stations will reopen at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9.
The deaths follow a pattern of deadly heat waves in the Portland region. In 2021, Multnomah County recorded a deadly summer heat dome that killed 69 people. Many died in their homes due to lack of air conditioning, while others never turned their AC on, the county reported.
For the latest information on available cooling spaces, and free transportation, call 2-1-1 or go to multco.us/hot.