Cooling Center Locations During Excessive Heat

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Excessive Heat Watch to an Excessive Heat Warning until 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 14. Dangerously hot temperatures are expected with significant increase for the potential of heat-related illness. 

A Red Flag Warning is now in effect on Friday, August 13 from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Unstable weather conditions will make the rapid spread of fire possible. Critical fire weather conditions will exist. 

Read more about these alerts on the National Weather Service website. 

COOLING CENTER INFORMATION

During the Excessive Heat Warning, the St. Helens Public Library will act as an emergency cooling center. Wearing a face mask and observing physical distance guidelines is recommended in keeping with current CDC and OHA guidance. Masks will be required beginning Friday, August 13 based on the state's new indoor mask mandate. P.P.E. will be available for those in need. Spots are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis until building capacity limits are reached. 

The Library will remain open for full browsing, check out, and computer use during these times.

ST. HELENS PUBLIC LIBRARY COOLING CENTER HOURS
375 S. 18th Street
Water bottle filling station and restrooms
Wednesday, August 11: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, August 12: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, August 13: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 14: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COLUMBIA VIEW PARK SPLASH PAD 
The splash pad at Columbia View Park on the St. Helens Riverfront will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. throughout the Excessive Heat Warning. If the splash pad is not working, please call non-emergency dispatch at 503-397-1521.

ADDITIONAL AREA LOCATIONS

Eisenschmidt Pool
1070 Eisenschmidt Lane, St. Helens
http://sthelenspool.com/
Regular operating hours
The pool welcomes people to stop by for a quick dip to cool off ($1.00 per person).  The outdoor wading pool will be filled and also available to the public.

Scappoose Public Library 
503-543-7123
Wed-Fri: 10am-6pm, Sat: 10am-3pm
52469 SE 2nd St, Scappoose, OR 97056
(Note: Access to the library may be affected by the Scappoose Centennial festivities)

Vernonia Public Library
503-429-1818
Wed: 10am-5pm, Thu: 12pm-7pm, Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 12pm-5pm
701 Weed Ave, Vernonia, OR 97064

Rainier Public Library
503-556-7301
Thu: 10:30am-6:30pm, Fri: 10:30am-4:30pm, Sat: 10:30am-2:30pm
106 W B St, Rainier, OR 97048

Clatskanie Library District
503-728-3732
Thu-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 10pm-2pm
11 Lillich St, Clatskanie, OR 97016

HOT WEATHER SAFETY TIPS 

During extreme heat, please take extra precautions:

• Drink plenty of water
• Stay out of the sun
• Check in on family and neighbors
• Never leave children or pets in a closed car
• Avoid strenuous outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.

More hot weather tips are available at Columbia County Public Health.

If you are outside during the day, watch out for signs of heatstroke:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• High body temperature
• Fast pulse

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing signs of heatstroke, call 911 immediately and move them to a cooler place. If you suspect someone may be suffering from heatstroke, help bring their body temperature down with wet cloths or a cool bath while you wait for emergency services.