Update 11:30 am, July 6:
In response to continuing dangerous heat levels, three cooling centers are open today, (Saturday, July 6) until 10 pm and will reopen at noon tomorrow (Sunday, July 7). Two Multnomah County libraries (listed below) will also be open until 9 pm today and tomorrow. Of note, one previously opened cooling site, The Hugo on 6221 NE 82nd, will not reopen today due to problems with their HVAC systems. See post below for more details, and stay tuned for more updates.
Original post:
Three daytime cooling centers, including two in Portland, are now open.
After declaring a state of emergency due to an excessive heat wave hitting Oregon with triple digit temperatures this weekend, Multnomah County opened three sites for residents to beat the heat and stay safe.
The centers opened at noon Friday, July 5 and will remain open until 10 pm, then reopen at noon Saturday.
The locations are:
On Saturday, another location will open:
Everyone is welcome at the cooling sites, including pets. Water and snacks will be provided. The temporary sites will be staffed by county and state employees, along with contracted shelter providers Do Good Multnomah and Cultivate Initiatives.
Two libraries will also be open until 9 pm, offering bottled water through the weekend:
Multnomah County says its Department of Human Services staff have been increasing outreach to unhoused residents, the elderly, as well as building managers and service organizations. County staff have also reached out to property managers with instructions on when to do welfare checks and to ask that they post heat safety information for tenants, particularly vulnerable tenants.
The county notes that cooling centers will remain open “as long as conditions warrant” and says additional spaces may open, and locations and hours are subject to change, “in response to evolving forecasts.”
For the most up-to-date information on resources, visit: multco.us/hot
Able to volunteer? Multnomah County needs help staffing its severe weather shelters. Learn more about how to sign up and what shifts and training are needed here.