PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — As the Portland area stares down the prospect of entering triple digits this weekend, local government officials said they are putting plans in place to prepare for the worst.
KOIN 6 News spoke with Multnomah County Health officials on Monday, who at that time said they didn’t anticipate opening cooling centers this week. However, with an updated forecast and an excessive heat warning in effect beginning Thursday from the National Weather Service for this weekend, county officials have now changed their tune.
In the past 24-hours, forecasted temperature and heat index levels have risen to the point that the county’s Office of Emergency Management is now saying they are planning to potentially open cooling centers Friday. However, the decision won’t be made officially until the day before.
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Multnomah County Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno told KOIN 6 News the upcoming heatwave could be particularly dangerous.