Heat wave claims lives of 3 Washington County residents, preliminary reports show

Three Washington County residents are among at least 16 Oregonians who died of suspected heat-related illnesses in the early July heat wave.

Locally that figure includes an 83-year-old man that died July 9; and a 73-year-old woman and an 87-year-old man that both died July 10.

The 83-year-old resided in the 97005 zip code, which includes central Beaverton north to Cedar Mill and South to the Denney Whitford area. The 73-year-old woman lived in the 97006 zip code, which includes Five Oaks and Oak Hills neighborhoods, as well as a portion of the Tanasbourne area. The 87-year-old man lived in the 97124 zip code, which includes the north Hillsboro and Helvetia areas.

The identities of the deceased were not immediately released.

At least six deaths were reported in Multnomah County as a potential result of the heat, as well as one Clackamas County resident. Additional deaths occurred in Douglas, Klamath, Coos and Jackson counties.

Multnomah County officials said “further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially hot-weather-related. In some cases, the deaths may be found to have had other causes.”

The maximum temperature recorded at the Hillsboro Airport was 102 degrees July 9 and 93 degrees July 10. The region weathered excessive heat starting July 4, lasting to July 11.

Across Washington County, the Beaverton City Library and Murray Scholls library branch were open for extended hours as a cooling center. The city also opened its temporary shelter, which was available 24 hours a day from July 4 through July 9.

The cooling center at the Washington Street Conference Center in Hillsboro was also open July 4 though July 8.