Multnomah County, Ore. (Aug. 15, 2023) — Multnomah County and the City of Portland will reopen three daytime cooling centers Tuesday afternoon as temperatures are expected to top 100 degrees for a third consecutive day — with forecasts showing a scorching 103 degrees.
The three daytime cooling centers that will be open again from 1 p.m. 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 but also 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.
Heat’s most harmful effects are cumulative. Even a little bit of respite from the heat — going to a cooling center or a library, finding shade, or accessing cooling supplies distributed from the County and Joint Office of Homeless Services’ outreach warehouse — can make a difference.
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 Monday, Aug. 14, a total of 224 people spent time at the three cooling centers, up from more than 120 on Sunday. Health officials say 911 calls have been elevated, with close to 400 on Monday, but were still short of the level seen during the 2021 heat dome.
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, so please check before you go into the water. 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
Find a guide to cooling locations near downtown Portland
County officials issue burn ban due to air pollution, hot temperatures
Health officials on Tuesday, Aug. 15, also issued a mandatory wood burning restriction for residents in Multnomah County 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. Nearly all 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
Data from pilot program monitoring apartment temperatures demonstrates importance of air conditioning
To better understand real-time conditions in vulnerable community members' homes, the Multnomah County Health Department worked with the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management this year to install 55 indoor temperature sensors in three Home Forward apartment buildings.
Data collected Monday, Aug. 14, showed that the temperatures in the buildings continued to be elevated during the hottest parts of the day, and many of the apartments had temperatures in the upper 80s for three to five hours.
While the heat risk to people living outside is well understood, many people don’t realize how dangerous heat is to housed people, especially elders, young children, and people with health conditions such as heart disease. The majority of people who died from extreme heat in Multnomah County during the June 2021 heat dome and the heat waves since were alone in their own homes and either didn’t have air conditioning or had not turned it on.
Brendon Haggerty, manager of the Health Department’s Healthy Homes & Communities program, urged 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
Joint Office of Homeless Services and Department of County Human Services continue stepped up outreach
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 2,300 reusable drinking bottles, 119,880 individual bottles of water, 4,600 cooling towels, 11,500 electrolyte packs, 11,600 sunscreen packets and 2,300 misting bottles for people in need.
The Department of County Human Services’ Regional Health Human Services Contact Center has also continued direct outreach to property managers and vulnerable seniors. From Friday, Aug. 11, through Monday, Aug. 14, staff placed calls to 572 property managers. On Monday, staff called 360 seniors to provide heat resources and other safety information.
If you or someone you know needs help finding a place to cool off, please dial 2-1-1.
###
