Portland and Multnomah County declare heat emergency, open cooling centers

Kids cool off at Salmon Springs Fountain during the Portland Rose Festival City kick off during City Fair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park Friday, May 26, 2023. Mark Graves

Portland and Multnomah County officials have declared a state of emergency starting Sunday due to excessive heat in the region and will open three cooling centers Sunday.

The cooling centers will welcome pets and people with food and water from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Lloyd Center also welcomes guests during regular mall hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the Portland Water Bureau has opened misting stations. Cool water will spray 24 hours a day through Thursday, Aug. 17. at these 14 Portland locations:

TriMet won’t charge anyone headed to a cooling space. For more transportation needs, call 2-1-1.

Anyone visiting a river or lake should wear a life jacket and take precautions to avoid deadly cold water shock — or stay cool by visiting a splash pad or interactive fountain from Hillsboro to Sandy.

More information about Washington and Clackamas counties’ cooling centers may be found at their websites.

— Beth Slovic; [email protected]; 503-221-8551

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