Residents seek relief as heat wave bakes Northwest

Children splashed about as adults dipped their toes in Portland fountains seeking relief from a heat wave that's baking a region famous for cool weather.

In normally temperate Oregon and Washington, warm days mean simply drawing shades and running fans. But a searing high-pressure system was making Portland and Seattle sizzle and leading residents to hunt for air conditioning.

Portland hit 100 degrees (37.7 Celsius) yesterday and Seattle 90 (32.2 C).

Many concerned communities have opened cooling centers and warned residents to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity and keep their dogs out of parked vehicles.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for western Washington and Oregon and said the highs in Seattle today could hit 95 (35 Celsius) while Portland could reach 105 degrees (40.5 C).
 

The Northwest is better known for its fall, winter and spring rainy seasons. Even July and August are relatively mild months. But the powerful high-pressure system arrived just at the height of summer.

Portland's light-rail trains are operating at slower speeds amid concern that the heat will cause tracks to expand and risk a derailment. In exchange for the slow service, fare inspectors are not checking riders for tickets.

Hun Taing uses the train to get to her job in downtown Portland, but she switched to an air-conditioned car because of the delays. She and a co-worker, Heather Heater, had a casual work meeting Wednesday at Director Park, dipping their toes in the fountain as children splashed in the water.

They both have air conditioning at home something they once lacked and expressed more concern for the homeless and elderly than for their personal comfort.

"I was in an apartment without AC when I just had my twins, and it was really difficult," Taing said yesterday.

"We had to pack ourselves in the car and just go somewhere, drive somewhere, because that apartment on the second floor was too hot for the infants."

Heater, who endures jokes about her last name, said having air conditioning was a requirement when she moved to the fourth floor in a recently constructed apartment building.