Multnomah County declares state of emergency due to extreme heat [Video]

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has declared a state of emergency effective from noon Friday through Monday as the Portland area prepares for temperatures to rise into the triple digits this weekend.

Vega Pederson announced the decision after the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning beginning Thursday. Temperatures are expected to reach 98 degrees on Friday and surpass 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, according to forecasters.

County officials said they are ramping up efforts to protect vulnerable populations, including people without housing, those without air conditioning, elderly individuals and people with health conditions. County director of Emergency Managment Chris Voss said the county is preparing to open cooling centers and is increasing its outreach to at-risk groups.

The county will open cooling centers when areas are at extreme heat risk on the weather service scale. Officials will announce cooling center locations and hours the day before the county …