Extreme heat can be very dangerous, especially for the most vulnerable in our community. With temperatures expected to reach the high 90s later this week and into the weekend, three cooling centers will open in Multnomah County to help seniors and people with disabilities and other health conditions stay safe.

Those in need of refuge from the hot weather can access cooling centers during the hottest parts of the day on Thursday, August 18; Friday, August 19; and Saturday, August 20.

Cooling center locations and hours of operation:

Multnomah County Walnut Park Building, 5325 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland

• Thurs., Aug. 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fri., Aug. 19, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sat., Aug. 20, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 Multnomah County East Building, 600 NE 8th St., Gresham

• Thurs., Aug. 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fri., Aug. 19, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sat., Aug. 20, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 NE 40th Ave., Portland

• Thurs., Aug. 18, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fri., Aug. 19, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sat., Aug. 20, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

211 Info has posted a list of cooling centers in the four-county on its website. Cooling centers in the Portland metro area outside Multnomah County follow.

COOLING CENTERS - WASHINGTON COUNTY

The following sites will be opening their doors or extending their hours during the period of Thursday, August 18, 2016 through Sunday, August 21, 2016 to help people stay safe and cool over the next few days.

Tualatin Public Library
18878 SW Martinazzi Avenue, Tualatin, OR 97062
Cooling center hours: Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday 10am-8:30pm, Saturday 10am-8:30pm, and Sunday 1pm-6pm

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Athletic Center
15707 SW Walker Road, Tualatin, OR 97062
Cooling center hours: Thursday/Friday 6am-10pm, Saturday 8am-10pm

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Cedar Hills Recreation Center
11640 SW Park Way, Portland, OR 97225
Cooling center hours: Thursday/Friday 5:30am-10pm, Saturday 8am-4pm

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center
9985 SW 125th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97008
Cooling center hours: Thursday 5:30am-10pm, Friday 5:30am-8:30pm, Saturday 8am-6pm

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Garden Home Recreation Center
7475 SW Oleson Road, Portland, OR 97223
Cooling center hours: Thursday 5:30am-10pm, Friday 5:30am-8:30pm, Saturday 8am-4pm

Washington County will make any updates to this list on their web page at www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/hot-weather.cfm.
COOLING CENTERS - CLACKAMAS COUNTY

The following sites will be opening their doors or extending their hours during the period of Thursday, August 18, 2016 through Saturday, August 20, 2016 to help people stay safe and cool over the next few days. Some locations will open only if temperatures reach 90 degrees.

Clackamas Service Center
8800 SE 80th Avenue, Portland, OR 97206
Cooling center hours: Friday, August 19 2pm-6pm, Saturday, August 20 5:30pm-9pm

Damascus Community Church
14251 SE Rust Way, Damascus, OR 97089
Cooling center hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm when temperatures reach 90 degrees

Estacada Community Center
200 SW Club House Drive, Estacada 97023
Cooling center hours: Please call 503-999-7062 for hours

Hoodland Public Library
24525 E Welches Road, Welches 97067
Cooling center hours: Friday, August 19 11am-7pm, Saturday, August 20 11am-6pm

Molalla Adult Community Center
315 Kennel Street, Molalla, OR 97038
Cooling center hours: Friday, August 19 9am-4pm

Sandy Public Library
38980 Proctor Boulevard, Sandy, OR 97055
Cooling center hours: Friday, August 19 10am-7pm, Saturday, August 20 10am-5pm

Sandy Senior Center
38348 Pioneer Boulevard, Sandy, OR 97055
Cooling center hours: Friday, August 19 8:30am-5pm

Wilsonville Brookdale Senior Community
8170 SW Vlahos Drive, Wilsonville 97070
Cooling center hours: 7 days per week 7am-9pm when temperatures reach 90 degrees

For questions on cooling centers, call Clackamas County Human Services at 503-650-5701.

COOLING CENTERS - CLARK COUNTY

The following sites will be opening their doors or extending their hours during the period of Thursday, August 18, 2016 through Saturday, August 20, 2016 to help people stay safe and cool over the next few days.

Marshall/Luepke Community Center
1009 NE McLoughlin Blvd Vancouver, WA 98663 Cooling center hours: Monday-Thursday 5:30am-9pm, Friday 5:30am-8pm, Saturday 7am-7pm

Firstenburg Community Center
700 NE 136th Ave Vancouver, WA 98684
Cooling center hours: Monday-Thursday 5:30am-9pm, Friday 5:30am-8pm, Saturday 8am-7pm, Sunday noon-6pm

Vancouver Public Works' Water Resources Education Center
4600 SE Columbia Way Vancouver, WA 98661
Cooling center hours:Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday noon-5pm

Firstenburg Tower at PeaceHealth
400 NE Mother Joseph Place Vancouver, WA 98664
Cooling center hours: Thursday/Friday/Saturday 8:30am-6pm. Pets are not allowed in the hospital to include the lobby/common areas unless they are an ADA service animal.

Washougal Muncipal Complex
1701 C Street Washougal, WA 98671
Cooling center hours: Thursday: City Hall 8am-5pm, Library 10am-6pm, Community Center 9am-3pm; Friday City Hall 8am-5pm, Library 10am-6pm, Community Center 4pm-6pm; Saturday: Library 10am-6pm; Sunday: Community Center (hours determined by volunteers).

Washougal area churches will also be participating in the relief effort. Look for COOLING STATION signs.

People in immediate need of relief from the hot weather may arrive to the cooling centers before opening hours on Thursday and Friday.

Transportation to the cooling centers can be arranged by calling Ride Connection at 503.226.0700. Advance reservations are encouraged.

Neighbors can also help by checking in on elderly or disabled friends and relatives. Heat

stroke or heat exhaustion are common conditions in hot weather. Higher temperatures also can place a dangerous strain on those with heart and other health issues.

Tips to staying cool:

• Drink plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. People with health conditions such as epilepsy, heart or kidney disease should talk to a doctor before increasing their consumption.
• Find the cool places. Visit a family member or neighbor with air conditioning, or go to the nearest public library, shopping mall or other cooled space.
• Dress for the weather. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Never wait in a parked vehicle or leave a child, elder or pet waiting in a parked car. Temperatures inside parked vehicles can rise dangerously high -- even with the windows open.
• Slow down. Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities until the heat of the day has passed.
• Stay out of the sun. Sunburn interferes with the skin’s ability to cool.
• Take a cool bath, shower or sponge bath. Cool water can help cool an overheated body.
• Pay attention to older adults, people with disabilities or health conditions.
• Check on those who are at-risk at least twice a day.
• For additional tips, visit www.multco.us/help-when-its-hot
• Call for more information. The Multnomah County Aging, Disability and Veterans Services Helpline has resources for older adults and people with disabilities, including a list of senior centers, transportation services and 24-hour crisis intervention. Call 503-988-3646 503-988-3683.