Extreme Weather Resource Guide
The current forecast calls for several days with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. Please take precautions when outdoors (see below).
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard. When temperatures exceed 90 degrees, those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include children up to four years of age, adults over the age of 65, people who are overweight, and people who are ill or on certain medications.
Cool Down at the Wilsonville Library: Sunday's hours extended
The Wilsonville Library, 8200 SW Wilsonville Rd., is the best place to escape the heat during peak high-temperature hours. Hours are typically extended to provide relief to those who need it.
- On Wedneday, Aug. 15, the Library is remaining open until 9 pm.
There are other locations within Washington County and Clackamas County that typically offer extended hours to accommodate people in need of temporary shelter. These may include overnight options. A map provided by Washington County details indoor/outdoor cooling spaces available for public use. Additional information for the tri-county area may be found at 211info.org.
Event Schedule Disruptions
When necessary, City events may be canceled or postponed. Check here for details when necessary.
Water Features
The fountains at Town Center Park and Murase Plaza are scheduled to be in operation, 10 am-8 pm, daily during the summer. These spots are a great place to cool down. Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat, stay hydrated and use sunscreen! Our water feature hotline (503-685-6356) details any maintenance outages.
Receive Emergency Alerts
The PublicAlerts.org website, which offers additional tips for withstanding extreme heat, is maintained by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization on behalf of the region. Partner agencies contribute to content.
PublicAlerts allows people to opt-in to receive emergency notifications by text, email, or voice message. This could include information about power outages, evacuation notices and other critical information.
- Sign Up to Receive Alerts:
Additional Precautions to Remain Safe
Check in with family, friends and neighbors, especially older adults and people with chronic medical problems, as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Older adults who need transportation to a cooling center or other assistance can call SMART's Dial-a-Ride at 503-682-7790.
If you don’t have air conditioning at home, try to spend as much time as you can where air conditioning is used. Indoor shopping malls are a good place to stay cool, as are movie theaters and other indoor entertainment and dining establishments.
In addition to staying in air-conditioned locations as much as possible, community members are also urged to:
- Open windows late at night or first thing in the morning to let cooler air in, then close them to keep the cooler air inside.
- Avoid using fans as your primary cooling device. Mist yourself with a spray bottle, and use the fan to get the cooling benefits of evaporation. Disability, Aging and Veteran Services has a limited supply of free electric fans for individuals ages 60 and up in Washington County. Call 503-846-3060.
- Drink plenty of fluids even when you don’t feel thirsty. Water is best. Limit sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Exercise in the early morning when it’s cooler.
- Avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Close your blinds and curtains to keep sunlight out.
- Play in a baby pool or sprinkler.
- Avoid using major appliances when possible. Here are some energy-saving tips from PGE.
- Eat small, light meals.
- Wear a life jacket and take other safety precautions in rivers and lakes.
Heat-related illness can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. Visit cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/faq.html to learn about signs, symptoms and treatment.
Heatstroke + Other Heat-Related Illness
People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Old age, youth (age 0-4), obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug use and alcohol use.conditions can limit the ability to regulate temperature.
Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs may include:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
If you see these signs, call 9-1-1 for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Get the victim to a shady area and cool the victim rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the victim in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
The CDC has additional information available on symptoms and treatment of heat-related illness.
Pet Precautions
Never leave pets in cars during periods of excessive heat, not even for a minute! Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. To keep pets safe and cool, we recommend these tips from the Humane Society.
