Oregon cooling centers open as heat wave kicks in

Cooling centers are opening across Oregon as temperatures reach triple digits over the next few days.

Temperatures soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit by 4 p.m. Wednesday in Portland, Oregon. In a “worst-case scenario,” the temperature could reach as high as 111 F in some parts of western Oregon by Friday before a weekend cooldown, the National Weather Service warned this week. It’s more likely temperatures will rise above 100 F for three consecutive days, peaking around 105 F on Thursday.

The Arbor Lodge cooling center is in an old Rite Aid store in North Portland.

Multnomah County staff have taped large boxes onto the floor, marking personal space for people to maintain social distance. There’s also cool air conditioning, chairs, beds, library books, wall sockets to charge devices and food.

On Wednesday, June Sanders sat on a cot with her greyhound, Rudy.

“It was just so hot and he was starting to get sick. So I said, ‘to heck with it. I’m going to take him where he can be well.’ He’s my best bud. He’s my service dog,” Sanders said.