PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Cooling centers are opening around the Portland metro area as high temperatures once again return to the region.
Below is a list of the cooling center locations and hours:
Multnomah County
According to Multnomah County’s website, five cooling centers will open from noon to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday:
- Multnomah County East Building – 600 NE 8th St., Gresham
- Sunrise Center – 18901 E Burnside St., Portland
- Portland Building – 1120 SW 5th St., Portland
- Matt Dishman Community Center – 77 NE Knott St., Portland
- Charles Jordan Community Center – 9009 North Foss Ave., Portland
People who need a ride to a cooling center can call 211.
The City of Portland is also opening outdoor misting centers from noon to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday, at the following parks:
- Glenhaven Park
- Mt Scott Park
- Knott Park
Due to the forecasted heat, currently open libraries except Kenton will extend hours of operation until 8 p.m. Thursday. Free water will be available at all libraries throughout the county. Masks are required at all locations. The following Multnomah County libraries will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday:
- Capitol Hill – 10723 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland
- Fairview-Columbia – 1520 NE Village St. Fairview
- Hillsdale, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd., Portland
- Kenton, 226 N Denver Ave., Portland
- Northwest, 2300 NW Thurman St., Portland
The following Multnomah County library branches are open until 8 p.m. both Thursday and Friday:
- Gregory Heights, 7921 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland
- Gresham, 385 NW Miller Ave., Gresham
- Holgate, 7905 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland
- Hollywood, 4040 NE Tillamook St., Portland
- Midland, 805 SE 122nd Ave, Portland
- North Portland, 512 N Killingsworth St, Portland
- Rockwood, 17917 SE Stark St., Portland
- St. Johns, 7510 N Charleston Ave., Portland
- Troutdale, 2451 SW Cherry Park Rd., Troutdale
- Woodstock, 6008 SE 49th Ave., Portland
In a statement Thursday night, TriMet officials said they won’t enforce fares if you’re headed to a cooling center. “Effective immediately, you won’t be denied a ride or get a ticket if you are going to a cooling center,” they said.
MAX trains often run slower in high heat.
“When it gets hot, we slow trains through some areas to keep them moving without damaging the system. Minor delays may happen on MAX Green and Orange lines when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees, as trains will decrease their speed in some areas. All MAX lines will slow in high speed areas when temperatures climb past 100 degrees,” they said.
Riders should check TriMet Alerts for the latest information.
Washington County
Multiple cooling centers, splash pads and hydration stations throughout Washington County will be available to the public and can be found in a color-coded, interactive map here.
“We’re really working to get the message out,” said Washington County Emergency Management Manager John Wheeler. “Heat injury is a preventative thing. What we learned from the June heatwave is that there are resources — ways for people to get into AC, a safe environment — we just need to make sure people know what those resources are, what the transportation resources are so they can protect themselves.”
Wheeler said the key is to make a plan of action and not just hope for the best as the heat settles in.
The county’s cooling centers are:
- Beaverton City Library – 12375 SW 5th St., Beaverton
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
- Beaverton City Library at Murray Scholls – 11200 SW Murray Scholls Pl, Beaverton
- Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center – 9985 SW 125th Ave., Beaverton
- Open until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
- Cornelius Public Library – 1370 N Adair St., Cornelius
- Open until 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
- Masks are optional.
- Forest Grove City Library – 2114 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove
- Open until 5 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
- Forest Grove Senior and Community Center – 2037 Douglas St., Forest Grove
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
- Hillsboro Brookwood Library – 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy., Hillsboro
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
- Face coverings and physical distancing are strongly recommended.
- Hillsboro Civic Center – 150 E Main St., Hillsboro
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
- This is a pet-friendly location, but they must be crated at all times.
- Hillsboro Shute Park Library – 775 SE 10th Ave, Hillsboro
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
- North Plains Library – 31334 NW Commercial St., North Plains
- Open until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
- St. Anthony’s Catholic Church – 3700 SE 79th Ave., Portland
- Open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
- Pet friendly.
- Tigard Public Library – 13500 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard
- Open until 6 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.
- Masks are optional.
- Tigard Senior Center – 8815 SW Omara St., Portland
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday and from noon to 8 p.m. Friday
- THPRD Athletic Center – 15707 Walker Rd., Beaverton
- Open until 7 p.m. Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
- Tualatin Public Library – 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave., Tualatin
- Open until 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
County and state officials are encouraging the public to keep an eye out for one another in their communities. If a person looks disoriented or confused, they might be suffering from the effects of heat -help them move to a cooler place, and consider dialing 911.