Oregon Governor Kate Brown today declared a state of emergency in 25 counties, including Washington County, as temperatures soar into triple digits.
Citing the extreme heat and a need to get additional resources flowing to local and tribal governments to grapple with the heat, which can quickly turn deadly.
The full declaration, which lasts through the rest of July unless terminated sooner by Brown, can be read here.
“With many parts of Oregon facing a high heat wave, it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy,” Brown said in a press release. “I encourage everyone to take proactive steps to keep themselves and their families safe, including drinking plenty of fluids, taking advantage of cooling centers, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.”
Brown directed the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to activate Oregon’s Emergency Coordination Center and ordered state agencies to provide any assistance OEM requires to support efforts to respond to the heat wave.
The press release urged Oregonians to learn the symptoms of heat-related illnesses including heat stroke and heat exhaustion, among others.
Cooling centers in Washington County can be found online at www.staycoolwashingtoncounty.com. Dial 211 for another way to find cooling centers.
“Additionally, all Oregonians are asked to check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors who may be susceptible to extreme heat to help them access ways to stay safe,” Brown’s office said.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.