The City of Portland will activate cooling centers this week as dangerous heat is expected to settle over the city from Wednesday through Friday.
The downtown Portland Public Library, located at 5 Monument Square, will serve as the city’s cooling center on Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2, during its normal operating hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Friday, July 3, the Troubh Ice Arena, located at 225 Park Avenue, will serve as the city’s cooling center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City officials said the cooling centers are being opened under Portland’s cooling center protocol after the National Weather Service warned of hazardous heat conditions. Portland is included in an Extreme Heat Watch, with heat index values — the “feels like” temperature — expected to reach between 105 and 110 degrees.
In addition to the designated cooling centers, the city is encouraging residents to use the Deering Oaks Ravine wading pool and the several splash pads located throughout Portland.
The city’s new outdoor pool, the Rising Eddy Community Pool, is not scheduled to open until Monday, July 6. However, officials said the new pool’s adjacent splash pad will be open to the public on Friday, July 3.
Residents are being urged to limit outdoor activities, drink plenty of water, and wear light-colored clothing during the period of extreme heat. City officials are also asking people to check on elderly neighbors and others who may be vulnerable.
Officials also reminded the public never to leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
Additional heat safety information is available from the National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
Stay safe everyone
Thank you to the weather service for the heads up. I’m incapable of figuring this out for myself.