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Temperatures likely to break records this weekend – Washington County offers resources for staying safe and healthy

VISIT WASHINGTON COUNTY COOLING CENTER MAP

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for our area. The Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday through 11 p.m. Monday. Dangerously hot afternoon high temperatures of 98°F to 103°F with some local areas experiencing 103°F to 108°F are expected Saturday through Monday.

According to the Portland office of the National Weather Service, high temperatures will run 20-30 degrees above normal for late June. Overnight lows will also be unseasonably warm, limiting the amount of relief from the heat and contributing to an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

Community members are urged to check in with family, friends, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with chronic medical problems, as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Older adults who need transportation to a cooling center or other assistance can call the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 503-846-3060 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Or visit ADRC’s website.

If you don’t have air conditioning at home, try to spend as much time as you can where air conditioning is used. Some options for community members include:

  • Wingspan Event and Conference Center, located at 801 NE 34th Avenue in Hillsboro, will be open as a cooling center Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. This is a pet-friendly location. Be sure to bring your pet in a crate, along with a collar, leash, ID tags, comfort items, food, and bowls. Water will be available.
  • The Beaverton City Library will open their Cathy Stanton Meeting Room as a cooling center Saturday and Sunday from 6-8 p.m. and Monday from 7-9 p.m. This is in addition to the library's regular operating hours.
  • Some other county libraries are open as well. Visit Washington County Cooperative Library Services website for hours of operation.
  • Boys & Girls Aid Safe Place for Youth is open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. for anyone ages 12-20. The organization is located at 454 SE Washington Street in Hillsboro and has air conditioning, food, cold water, showers and recreational activities. The site allows up to three drop-in youth at one time to allow for safe physical distancing. Masks must be worn except when eating in the dining area.
  • Indoor shopping malls are a good place to stay cool, as are movie theaters and other indoor entertainment and dining establishments. Call ahead or look online to see what restrictions are in place due to COVID-19.
  • Many splash pads and spraygrounds that offer relief from the heat are not operating due to the chlorine shortage currently impacting the region. Check this website for locations and to see which ones might be operating. You can also look on the map linked directly below.

VISIT WASHINGTON COUNTY COOLING CENTER MAP FOR MORE LOCATIONS.

Tips for staying safe and healthy when it gets really hot outside

  • Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
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  • Drink plenty of fluids (water is best), even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
  • Exercise in the early morning when it tends to be cooler.
  • Avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
  • Take cool showers or baths.
  • Close your blinds and curtains to keep sunlight out.
  • If the temperature falls at night, open your windows to let the cool air in (if it is safe to do so).
  • Get a baby pool or play in a sprinkler. Many splash pads and spraygrounds that offer relief from the heat are not operating due to the chlorine shortage currently impacting the region. Check this website for locations and to see which ones might be operating.
  • Use fans but do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device when it is very hot. Instead, mist yourself with a spray bottle, and then use the fan to get the cooling benefits of evaporation.
  • Do not use your stove/oven or do laundry on very hot days.
  • Eat small, light meals.
  • Never leave children or pets in cars. Read more about pet safety here.
  • If you choose to swim or recreate in a local river or lake, be sure to wear a personal flotation device and take other safety precautions. More info on the Red Cross page.

To allow people to better prepare for upcoming heat events, the National Weather Service has developed a HeatRisk forecast. The HeatRisk forecast gives a quick view of heat risk potential over the upcoming seven days. The color-coded chart provides health guidance similar to the air quality index chart we all became familiar with during last year’s wildfires.

The CDC has helpful information on their website, including signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, posters, fact sheets and other resources.

Washington County will post any urgent updates at www.StayCoolWashingtonCounty.com