Portland Area Braces for First Summer Heatwave
While most of the country has already been experiencing high temperatures and “heat domes”, the Portland area has remained stubbornly cool and rainy. That’s about to change. This weekend meteorologists are predicting weather in the mid-90s, which will be a shock to the system for those who are not acclimated to high temperatures.
City and county officials are gearing up to help people stay safe, hoping to avoid the high number of heat-related deaths that occurred during last year’s extreme weather. Residents are urged to start preparing for the impacts of high temperatures, not only this year but throughout the summer.
Here’s what you need to know right now:
How to Stay Safe in the Heat
The best way to stay safe is to stay in a cool indoor location, but that’s not possible for everyone.
Many housing units and public spaces are not designed for high temperatures. Building upgrades have not kept up with changes in the environment due to global warming. To help, health officials have posted a wealth of information you can use to stay cool and help avoid heat-related injuries.
Tips and information are available in multiple languages here. If you want to learn more about heat-related illnesses, click here.
Extreme heat events may cause some people to lose power. For information on what to do if your power goes out, click here.
Where to Go
If temperatures rise to dangerous levels, local officials will activate cooling centers. Cooling centers are places where people can rest during the heat of the day. Some cooling centers may also be open overnight. 211info, our regional services information hub, maintains updated lists of cooling center openings, locations, and hours. Find out more on their website here.
Malls, movie theaters, and libraries are also good places to escape the heat. Masks may be required in…
