Portland & Multnomah Countyโข Declare Heat โEmergency as Temperatures Soar, โฃair Quality Declines
Portland, OR – August 23, โ2024 – Facing โขpossibly record-breakingโ temperatures and deteriorating air quality, Multnomah County and the City of โPortland have โjointly declared a state of emergency, effective instantly.โข Officials are โbracing for a prolonged heat โwave expected to peak at 100ยฐF and persist โthrough theโ middle โof next week, posing โฃnotable health risks to residents.
The declaration triggers a multi-faceted response โaimed at protecting vulnerable populations, including theโ opening of cooling centers andโค expanded library hours. Two โขdesignated cooling centers will operate from noonโข to 9 p.m. onโ Saturday, August 23rd, offeringโ respite, water, and a โฃsafe surroundings for individuals and their pets. These locations are:
Multnomah County East Building: Located in Gresham. Friendly House: Located in Portland.
Along with โคthe cooling centers, three Portland-area libraries will extend โคtheir operating hours until 8โ p.m. to provide air-conditioned spaces: Central Library, Greshamโข Library, and Midland Library.
Air Quality Concerns Escalate
The heat wave isโข coinciding with a significant decline in air quality. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality hasโ issuedโ an air quality advisory for โtheโ Portland Metro area due โคtoโ elevated ozone levels, expectedโฃ to last through Monday, August 25th.Residents are strongly advisedโ to remain indoors in air-conditioned environments and limit all unneeded driving.
Adding to the concern, Multnomahโ Countyโ has implemented โa mandatory restriction on wood โขburningโฃ – the first “red day” restriction โof โฃ2024. This measure is in addition to existing burn bansโฃ issued by โthe Multnomahโ County Fire Defense Board to mitigateโ wildfire risk. Details โon wood-burning restrictions can be โfound here. Details on the fire bans is available here.
Countyโ Prioritizesโ Vulnerable Populations
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega โคPederson underscored the seriousness of the โsituation. “This will likely be the hottest weather and highestโฃ heat risk that Multnomah โขCounty will experience โขthis year.โ Please take โฃthe health risksโข of this coming โheatโ wave extremely seriously,” โคshe stated.
The County’s Homeless Services Department is actively deploying โฃstreet outreach teams toโ distribute essential supplies and information aboutโฃ coolingโ center โlocations to individuals experiencing โฃhomelessness.
Recognizing transportation barriers, TriMet will offer free rides to cooling centers โคfor those unable to pay fares between 11 a.m.and 10 p.m.on Saturday.
Resources for Residents
Residents โฃare urged to check โon elderly โneighbors,individuals with pre-existing health conditions,and those without access to adequate cooling.โ
For assistanceโ locatingโ a cooling center or securing transportation,โฃ dial 211. An interactive map of cooling center locations โขis available here.
Authorities will continue to monitor conditions and provide updatesโค as the heat wave progresses. Residentsโ are โencouraged to stay informed โand prioritize their healthโค and safety.
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