With temperatures expected to climb into triple digits this week and remain high for several days, Multnomah County will open three cooling centers to help seniors and people with disabilities and other health conditions stay safe.
HOW TO FIND A COOLING CENTER NEAR YOU:
Cooling centers will open Tuesday, Aug. 1 and remain open through at least Monday, Aug. 7 at the locations listed below. The centers may remain open beyond this date if the temperature remains above 90 degrees. All cooling centers will be open from 5 pm to 8 pm on weekdays and 2 pm to 8 pm on weekends.
- Multnomah County Walnut Park Building, 5325 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland
- Multnomah County East Building, 600 NE 8th St., Gresham
- Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 NE 40th Ave., Portland
Pets and children are welcome at all three cooling center locations. Each location also will have activities including board games and movies. Snacks and water also are available.
Additional Cooling Center open to all at the American Legion Post 134, 2104 NE Alberta St., Portland, Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 am to 7 pm and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Transportation to cooling centers can be arranged by calling Ride Connection at 503-226-0700. Advance reservations are encouraged. All rides are free of charge.
Community members are encouraged to check on elderly or vulnerable friends and relatives and also to sign up to receive email alerts about future cooling center openings.
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TIPS FOR STAYING COOL:
- Drink plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. People with health conditions such as epilepsy, heart or kidney disease should talk to a doctor before increasing their consumption.
- Find the cool places. Visit a family member or neighbor with air conditioning, or go to the nearest public library, shopping mall or other cooled space.
- Dress for the weather. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
- Never wait in a parked vehicle or leave a child, elder or pet waiting in a parked car. Temperatures inside parked vehicles can rise dangerously high -- even with the windows open.
- Slow down. Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities until the heat of the day has passed.
- Stay out of the sun. Sunburn interferes with the skin’s ability to cool.
- Take a cool bath, shower or sponge bath. Cool water can help cool an overheated body.
- Pay attention to older adults, people with disabilities or health conditions.
- Check on those who are at-risk at least twice a day.
For additional tips, visit www.multco.us/help-when-its-hot
The Multnomah County Aging, Disability and Veterans Services Helpline has resources for older adults and people with disabilities, including a list of senior centers, transportation services and 24-hour crisis intervention.
For more information, call 503-988-3646 or TTY at 503-988-3683.
For heat advisory information in different languages, please visit https://multco.us/help-when-its-hot/tips-print-and-post