Cooling centers 'can make a big difference' amid heat emergency

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- With Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declaring a statewide heat emergency Friday afternoon, this frees up state agencies to respond to emergencies created by the heat dome.

Friday also marked the first-day cooling centers were opened across all four neighboring counties -- with Multnomah County already announcing they will reopen their sites Saturday -- due to what officials have called dangerous and potentially deadly heat.

As the Portland metro region continues to sizzle, the Cook Plaza in Gresham is now open with cases of food and water, flip-flops, hygiene products, games and more. All are available to any people and pets looking for a reprieve.

"There's a cool space here," said Julie Comnes, a Multnomah County spokesperson. "We have cots where people can hang out. There'll be food. People can bring their pets and their stuff and just hang out here for a few hours or however long they need until 10 p.m. [Friday]."

Cook Plaza is one of three cooling centers -- with a total capacity of 225 -- offered by the county from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with extended library hours at both the Central and Gresham branches until 9 p.m.

"Even just a few hours of air conditioning can make a big difference for someone's health," Comnes added. "And it's really like, we saw with the 2021 heat dome, this is a life or death issue and it's really important for people to stay safe from the heat."

Meanwhile, right off the MAX in Washington County, 24-hour shelter Project Homeless Connect is complete with showers, food and air conditioning at the Washington Street Conference Center.

"Our outreach team will be out driving around, passing out waters and cooling blankets, and also picking folks up and bringing them to the shelter if they want to come," said Kim Marshall, Executive Director of Project Homeless Connect.

It's one of two "no-turn away" locations the county will keep open overnight until the end of the heat advisory, in addition to the more than 400 emergency shelter beds available year-round.

"If our friends aren't found, and they're out there in this heat, and they're not getting that reprieve, we worry about their health and ultimately their safety," added Marshall.

Nearly 100 people died in Oregon as a result of the 2021 heat dome. While temperatures aren't expected to reach those highs, KOIN 6 asked Multnomah County why these shelters are not remaining open overnight like Clackamas and Washington counties.

"We'll be considering that for days going forward," Comnes replied. "And we're ready to do that if it's looking like we need to do that."

You can find a list of shelter locations, hours and operations for all of our neighboring counties here.

Further, TriMet will be waving fares to and from cooling centers. People can also call 211 for details and transportation options.