Multnomah County declares state of emergency due to extreme heat

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Multnomah County leaders have declared a state of emergency due to extreme heat throughout the Portland metro area Thursday morning.

The declaration, effective 10 a.m. Thursday, was announced by Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson on Wednesday as the county shared plans to open two cooling centers in the area.

It is not yet clear whether these cooling centers will also open on Friday. County officials are expected to make an announcement about cooling centers by the end of the day.

Meanwhile, Multnomah County Library plans to extend its hours to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at two locations.

Multnomah County’s announcement came after the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the area that will be in effect from noon Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday.

Forecasts show temperatures rising to nearly 100 degrees Thursday and Friday with overnight lows also expected to be in the upper 50s to nearly 70 degrees.

County officials said outreach workers have been on the ground since Wednesday offering water, cooling supplies and information about the cooling centers to those living on the streets.

These no-turnaway centers are for anyone who doesn’t have AC or needs a place to cool off.

“For it to be this late in the year, for this kind of heat, it’s beyond me,” one cooling center visitor, Diane, said.

But with dangerous temperatures and air quality arriving in Portland , county officials said they are reaching out to vulnerable populations while urging everyone to check on neighbors:

“Folks who you may not see that often, maybe you know that they live alone. Just knocking on the door, making a phone call, just checking in, bringing over some cold water, making sure they have their AC on, their fan on, or have the ability to go to a cooling shelter,” Heath Officer Dr. Richard Bruno said.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our weather coverage.

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