Month: June 2021

Southern Oregon —

With record-breaking temperatures in the forecast for much of the North West this weekend, cooling centers are being made available to the public throughout Southern Oregon.

Medford

According to the City of Medford website, the Medford Senior Center located at 510 E. Main Street will be open and act as a Severe Event cooling shelter. The cooling shelter will be open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (June 26 – June 28) from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The cooling shelter will provide water, a cool resting area, restrooms, popsicles, snacks, and a cooling area as well as water for pets. Individuals may come and go, with a facility capacity of 45 guests.

Ashland 

According to a Facebook post from the City of Ashland, a Cooling Shelter located at 48 Fifth Street will be available from Saturday, June 26 through Thursday, July 1. The Shelter will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The shelter will be staffed by community volunteers who have requested that guests be mindful of other’s health needs, therefore masks will be required. Animals will be allowed but must be kept on leashes.

Donations of water and cold foods are needed and will be accepted at the shelter location during hours of operation.

The Ashland Police Department will have water bottles available to those in need. Officers will carry additional water bottles with them and will be looking for opportunities to assist those that might be vulnerable to heat exhaustion or could benefit from proactive assistance.

Ashland Fire and Rescue will have water bottles outside of each fire station for those needing cooling hydration.

Talent 

According to a City of Talent Facebook post, the city will be hosting a Cooling Center in the Talent Community Center located behind City Hall at 110 East Main Street from Saturday, June 26 to Monday, June 28. The Cooling Center will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m. each day and city staff and volunteers will be available onsite. Bottled water will be available and the city will be observing covid-19 protocols.

Shady Cove

The Upper Rogue Community Center will be open as a cooling center Sunday and Monday from 2-7.

Contact URCC at 541-878-2702 for more details.

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Dr. Richard Leman, a public health physician at OHA, said, “It’s critical that people do what they can to avoid the heat as temperatures get to the level where they can cause serious health problems. Temperatures that get above 100 are nothing to take casually. These conditions can be extremely dangerous if we don’t take care of ourselves.”

Here are tips to take care of yourself during extreme heat:

Stay cool

• Stay in air-conditioned places when temperatures are high, if possible. If you’re outside, find some shade.
• Avoid strenuous activity when it’s hot. This could lead to heat stroke.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing to keep cool and protect your skin from the sun.
• Use cool compresses, misting, and cool showers and baths.
• Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car. They can suffer from heat-related illness.

Stay hydrated

• Regardless of your level of activity, drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty and especially when working outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar.

Stay informed

• Keep up to date on the temperature and heat index when planning your activities so you can find ways to stay cool and hydrated.
• Know the warning signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash, and how to treat and prevent them.
• Closely monitor anyone with a chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or kidney disease. They may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature.

For more information, visit:

Preventing Heat-related Illnesses (OHA): https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForExtremeHeat.aspx

Extreme Heat (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-related Illness (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html

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