Heat waves are becoming hotter and happening more often across the United States.

That’s according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which found heat waves have increased from an average of two per year across major cities during the 1960s to six per year during the 2010s and 2020s.

In response to the extreme heat, local governments and organizations across Oregon and Southwest Washington have developed ways to keep people safe including opening 24-hour emergency cooling shelters.

Finding a place to cool down will not only provide relief but can save lives during a heat wave. For help locating a cooling center or learning more about local heat related resources available in your area, visit 211info.org or call 211.

Be sure you have a plan to stay cool as temperatures rise. Even just a few hours inside with AC can make a big difference.

CALL 211 to locate cooling centers, other hot weather resources, and to discuss transportation options. We’re here 24/7 to help. pic.twitter.com/POuzO2qNtq

— 211info (@211info) September 5, 2024

Organizers recommend checking online or calling ahead for up-to-date information and to verify hours before heading out to a shelter.

Below is a list of some local cooling spaces across Oregon and Southwest Washington, including daytime centers, emergency shelters and libraries.

Clackamas County

Emergency cooling centers, including both daytime and nighttime shelters, will typically open across Clackamas County when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory, watch or warning for the region. The county will consider several factors in determining when to open its emergency shelters and will post their locations here.

Below are other cooling spaces open across the county.

• Canby Adult Center - 1250 S. Ivy St., Canby. Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 503-266-2970
• Father’s Heart Street Ministry - 603 12th St., Oregon City. 503-722-9780
• Gladstone Community Center - 1050 Portland Ave., Gladstone. Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 503-655-7701
• Lake Oswego Adult Community Center - 505 G Ave., Lake Oswego. Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 503-635-3758
• Molalla Adult Community Center - 122 Grange Ave., Molalla. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Age 50 and older adults with disabilities. 503- 829-4214
• Robinwood Station Community Center - 3706 Cedaroak Drive, West Linn. Sunday - Thursday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Friday - Saturday, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. 503-329-3460
• Wilsonville Community Center - 7965 Wilsonville Road. Wilsonville. Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 503-682-3727

Multnomah County

During times of extreme heat, the county will assess multiple factors to determine when to open emergency cooling shelters. Once the county’s thresholds have been met, officials will activate its emergency shelters and post their locations and operating hours on the county’s website.

Below are a few cooling spaces open year-round across Multnomah County.

• East Portland Community Center - 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland. Monday - Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 503-823-3450
• Gresham Library - 385 N.W. Miller Ave., Gresham. Monday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 503-988-5123
• Montavilla Community Center - 219 N.E. Glisan St., Portland. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m, and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 503-823-4101
• Peninsula Park Community Center - N. Albina & N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 503-823-3620
• Woodstock Community Center - 5905 S.E. 43rd St., Portland. Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 503-823-3633
• Southwest Community Center - 6820 S.W. 45th Ave., Portland. Monday - Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 503-823-2840
• St. Johns Community Center - 8427 N. Central St., Portland. Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 503-823-3192
• Troutdale Library - 2451 S.W. Cherry Park Road, Troutdale. Monday - Tuesday, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. 503-988-5123

Washington County

Washington County will also open its emergency cooling shelters after reviewing weather conditions as well as several other factors. The county will post emergency shelter locations and operating times on its website.

Below are other cooling spaces open year-round across Washington County.

• Beaverton City Library - 12375 S.W. 5th St., Beaverton. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. 503-644-2197
• Boys and Girls Aid Safe Place for Youth - 454 S.E. Washington St., Hillsboro. Call for hours. 503-542-2717
• Cedar Hills Recreation Center - 11640 S.W. Park Way, Portland. Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 503-629-6340
• Hidden Creek Community Center - 5100 N.E. Hidden Creek Drive, Hillsboro. Monday - Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 503-693-5900
• Sherwood Center for the Arts - 22689 S.W. Pine St., Sherwood. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 503-625-4278
• Tualatin Hills Athletic Center - 15707 S.W. Walker Road., Beaverton. Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 503-629-6330

Southwest Washington

The Council for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization, leads the Clark County Severe Weather Task Force. The nonprofit works with other cities and community partners to activate several severe weather shelters across the county.

• Clark County
• • Water Resources Education Center - 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 360-487-7111
  • Marshall Center and Luepke Community Center - 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver. Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, closed. 360-487-7100
  • Firstenburg Community Center - 700 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, closed. 360-487-7001
• Skamania County
• • Stevenson Community Library - 120 N.W. Vancouver Ave., Stevenson. Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 509-427-5471

Columbia River Gorge

The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council will open its emergency shelter during severe weather events including heat waves. The nonprofit will post on its website when it has activated its cooling center.

• Hood River County
• • Hood River Valley Adult Center - 2010 Sterling Place, Hood River. Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 541-386-2060
  • Hood River Library - 502 E. State St., Hood River. Tuesday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 541-386-2535
  • Parkdale Library - 7300 Clear Creek Road, Parkdale. Tuesday - Thursday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 541-352-6502
  • Cascade Locks Library - 300 S.W. Wa Na Pa St., Cascade Locks. Tuesday/Thursday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday/Friday/Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 541-374-9317
• Wasco County
• • Dufur Public Library - 802 N.E. 5th Street, Dufur. Monday/ Wednesday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m - 3:30 p.m. 541-467-2509
  • St. Vincent de Paul of the Dalles - 315 W. 3rd St., The Dalles. Tuesday - Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 541-296-9566
  • Southern Wasco County Library - 507 Grant Ave., Maupin. Tuesday/Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. , Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 541-395-1107
  • The Dalles Library - 722 Court St , The Dalles, OR. Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 541-296-2815

Willamette Valley

• Benton County
• • Philomath Community Library - 1050 Applegate St., Philomath. Monday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m - 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 541-929-3016
  • Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center - 530 S.W. 4th St., Corvallis. Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 458-233-5327
  • Corvallis-Benton Public Library - 645 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis. Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 541-766-6793
  • Alsea Community Library - 19192 Alsea Highway, Alsea. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10 a.m - 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. 541-487-5061
  • Monroe Community Library - 380 N. 5th St., Monroe. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m - 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday 2 p.m - 7 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. 541-847-5174
• Lane County
• • St. Vincent de Paul Eugene Service Station - 450 Highway 99 N, Eugene. Monday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 541-687-5820
  • Bethel Branch Library - 1990 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene. Wednesday-Monday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. 541-682-5450
  • Springfield City Hall - 225 5th St., Springfield. Monday - Friday 8 a.m - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 547-726-3700
  • Siuslaw Public Library - 1460 9th St.., Florence. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m - 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 541-997-3132
• Linn County
• • 2nd Chance - 1100 Jackson Street S.E., Albany. Monday - Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 541-967-8545
  • Albany Fire Station 11 - 611 Lyon St S.E., Albany. Monday - Thursday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. 541-917-7700
  • Sweet Home City Hall- 3225 Main Street, Sweet Home. Monday 7 a.m - 5 p.m. 541-367-5128
• Marion County
• • The Arches Project - 615 Commercial St. N.E., Salem. Seven days per week 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. when the temperature is more than 94 degrees, the day center will stay open until 7 p.m. 503-399-9080
• Polk County
• • Dallas Public Library - 950 Main St., Dallas. Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 503-623-2633
  • Monmouth Public Library - 168 S. Ecols St., Monmouth. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 503-838-1932
  • Independence Public Library - 175 Monmouth St., Independence. Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 503-838-1811

Central Oregon

• Crook County
• • Crook County Library - 175 N.W. Meadow Lakes Drive, Prineville. Monday - Friday 9 a.m - 6 p.m 541-447-7978
• Deschutes County
• • Downtown Bend Library - 601 N.W. Wall St., Bend. Monday - Thursday 9 a.m - 8 p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. 541-617-7050
  • Redmond Library - 2127 S. Highway 97, Redmond. Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 541-312-1050
  • Sisters Library - 110 N. Cedar Street, Sisters, OR. Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m - 6 p.m. 541-312-1070
  • La Pine Library - 16425 First St., La Pine. Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m - 6 p.m. 541-312-1090
• Klamath County
• • South Suburban Branch Library - 3625 Summers Lane, Klamath Falls. Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m - 5 p.m. 541-273-3679
  • Klamath County Library - 126 S. 3rd St., Klamath Falls. Monday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m - 5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. 541-882-8894
  • Merrill Branch Library - 365 West Front St., Merrill. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m and 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 541-798-5393
  • Bonanza Branch Library - 31703 Highway 70, Bonanza. Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m - 2 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 541-545-6944
• Lake County
• • Christmas Valley Branch Library - 57338 Christmas Tree Lane, Christmas Valley. Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m, and 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 541-576-2336
  • Lake County Main Library - 26 South G St., Lakeview. Tuesday - Friday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 503-636-7628
• Sherman County
• • Sherman County Public School and Library - 65912 High School Loop, Moro. Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m, Saturday 10 a.m - 4 p.m. 541-565-3279

Eastern Oregon

• Baker County
• • Baker County Public Library Main Branch - 2400 Resort St., Baker City. Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 541-523-6419
  • Haines Library - 818 Cole Street, Haines. Tuesday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 541-856-3309
  • Halfway Library - 260 Gover Lane, Halfway. Tuesday and Saturday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday 1 p.m - 5 p.m. 541- 742-5729
  • Community Connection of Northeast Oregon - 1504 N. Albany St., La Grande. Monday - Friday 9 a.m - 5 p.m. 541-963-7532
• Harney County
• • Harney County Community Center - 484 N. Broadway Ave., Burns, OR. Monday - Thursday 9 a.m - 4 p.m. 541-573-2636
  • Harney County Library - 80 W. D St., Burns. Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 541-574-6670
• Malheur County
• • Oasis House at St Matthews Church - 802 S.W. 5th St., Ontario. Monday - Saturday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. 541-889-6943
  • Malheur Council on Aging and Community Services - 842 S.E. 1st Ave., Ontario. Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 541-889-7651
• Morrow County
• • Boardman Library - 200 S. Main St., Boardman. Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 541-481-2665
  • Irrigon Library - 490 N.E. Main Ave., Irrigon. Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 541-922-0138
  • Ione Library District - 385 W. 2nd St., Ione. Monday and Wednesday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m - 5 p.m. 541-561-9828
• Umatilla County
• • Pendleton Public Library - 502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 541-966-0380
  • Athena Public Library - 418 E. Main St., Athena. Monday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 541-566-2470
  • Echo Public Library - 20 Bonanza St., Echo. Monday - Friday 9 a.m - 5 p.m. 541-376-6038
  • Hermiston Public Library - 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. Monday and Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 541-567-2882
• Wallowa County
• • Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness - 606 Medical Parkway, Enterprise. Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 541-426-4524
  • Wallowa Memorial Clinic Wallowa - 701 W. Highway 82, Enterprise. Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 541-426-7900
  • Wallowa Memorial Medical Clinic Joseph - 800 N. Main St., Joseph. Monday and Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m - 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m - 3 p.m. 541-426-7900

North Oregon Coast

• Lincoln County
• • Chance Recovery Center - 158 W. Olive St., Newport. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 541-272-3740

Southern Oregon

• Josephine County
• • MINT Cooling Center - 218 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 541-244-0156

Other places to stay cool

• Libraries
• Movie theaters
• Malls
• Community centers
• Splash pads
• Community pools
• Visiting friends with an AC
• Houses of worship
• Shopping centers

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/15/oregon-washington-heat-hot-weather-cooling-center-shelter-resources-weather/