Health risks increase as Oregon heat persists

A cool mist and screams of joy greeted visitors to downtown Portland’s Salmon Street Springs fountain on Sunday, an exceptionally hot Mother’s Day that broke temperature records from Astoria to Portland and Eugene to Troutdale.

While many people enjoyed the unseasonably warm temperatures, health experts warned that Oregonians should continue to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness. Relatively high overnight temperatures for the next several days mean homes that lack air conditioning will retain heat, preventing some residents from getting sufficient relief.

“This is when we start to be more at risk,” said Dr. Ann Loeffler, acting health officer for Multnomah County on Sunday morning.

As of 6 p.m., Multnomah County had reported no suspected heat deaths from the three-day streak of 90 degree weather.

On Sunday, Sara Bernal sat under a tree on a park bench in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, feeding her baby.

“It’s a little uncomfortable, sure,” said Bernal, who grew up in Oregon. “But after all the rain, it’s not so bad.”

Families and sweaty park-goers also gathered at the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain along the Willamette River on Sunday.

Preyonna Allen sat on a picnic blanket in the shade as she watched her kids splash in the fountain’s water. She said she enjoyed hot days so she could take her children out to play safely in the sun.

“I’ve got about 10 fans at home, and they just don’t work,” Allen said. “I don’t like taking my kids to the beach because I’ve got little ones. We come here every summer.”

While the Portland area’s riverfront beaches beckon swimmers on hot days, cold temperatures in the Columbia, Willamette and Sandy rivers pose a risk for fatal shock.

Anyone who swims or boats in natural water should wear life jackets, experts warn. On Friday, a Beaverton teen disappeared off the coast of Cannon Beach after swimming with three others.

Back at Portland’s waterfront, Sydney Waters sat near the Bill Naito fountain, wearing a hat and sunglasses as children laughed in the background. Waters captured many Portlanders’ sentiment when it comes to the current weather.

“It’s too wet, it’s too cold,” Waters said. “Then it’s too hot.”

— Lisa Moreno; lmoreno@oregonian.com