Five years ago, a record-setting heat wave hit Oregon and revealed how unprepared Portland and the rest of the state were for the accelerating effects of climate change.
As a “heat dome” pushed up temperatures above 95 degrees for four days straight, hitting a peak of 116 degrees in Portland, it turned homes across the city and the state into dangerous heat traps. More than 100 Oregonians were killed, including 69 in Multnomah County. Most victims died indoors, often alone, in homes without adequate air conditioning. Seven died in public housing.
Local officials lacked formalized extreme heat guides or experience setting up cooling centers. Beds at hospitals in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties were in critically short supply…