If you are in need of immediate assistance, call 911.

EMERGENCY COOLING KITS*

As high temperatures and wildfire smoke hit the Columbia River Gorge and Mid-Columbia regions this summer, the houseless community will face extreme risks to their health and well-being from exposure to unhealthy conditions that create life-threatening situations. Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is partnering with Mid Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) and other agencies and nonprofits to provide Emergency Cooling Kits for distribution to houseless community members through area coordinators. Kits will also be available during regular office hours at WAGAP and MCCAC offices as well as at some sites listed below.

Our dedicated area partners are inviting houseless members to escape the heat and smoke when needed during their regular office hours as they serve as temporary drop-in sites. When a life-threatening EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING or UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY advisory is issued by the National Weather Service, please plan ahead and assist houseless community members in getting the services they need. For those in Washington, call WAGAP during regular business hours if special circumstances arise and additional help is needed at 509-493-2662.

In Oregon, if extreme conditions warrant opening, MCCAC will post an announcement on its website when it opens the temporary cooling and air quality shelter at the Gloria Navigation Center at 2505 W. 7th Street in The Dalles. When open, it will operate from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON LOCATIONS

SKAMANIA County Drop-in sites:

WAGAP*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM
683 SW Rock Creek Drive
Stevenson, WA 98648

Stevenson Community Library*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM
120 NW Vancouver Avenue
Stevenson, WA 98648

KLICKITAT County Drop-in Sites:

WAGAP Main Office*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 5:00 PM
115 West Steuben Street
Bingen, WA 98605

Second Hand Rose*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Saturday, 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Closed for Lunch: Friday/Saturday 2-2:30 PM
Closed on Federal Holidays
115 West Steuben Street
Bingen, WA 98605

White Salmon Valley Community Library
Monday - Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM
77 Wauna Avenue
White Salmon, WA 98672

WAGAP Housing Office*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 4:30 PM
150 West Main Street
Goldendale, WA 98620

Father’s House Fellowship*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Friday, 12 PM - 6 PM
207 S. Klickitat Ave.
Goldendale, WA 98620

Goldendale Community Library*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM
131 West Burgin Street
Goldendale, WA 98620

OREGON LOCATIONS

HOOD RIVER County Kit Sites:

MCCAC*
Kits are available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Friday 8 AM-5 PM (closed for lunch 12-1 PM)
606 State Street, Suite 1B
Hood River, OR 97031

HOOD RIVER Drop-in Sites:

Hood River Library
Tuesday - Thursday, 10 AM - 7 PM
Friday - Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM
502 E State Street
Hood River, OR 97031

WASCO County Drop-in Sites:

Gloria Center*
Kits are available during regular hours of operation
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
2505 W 7th Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
When extreme conditions warrant opening based on National Weather Service reports, MCCAC will post an announcement on its website when it opens the temporary cooling and air quality shelter at the Gloria Navigation Center.
(When open, it will operate from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM)

St. Vincent DePaul Center
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
505 W 9th St.
The Dalles, OR 97058

SHERMAN County:

Office of Emergency Management*
Kits are also available during regular hours of operation
Call 541-565-3100 for information
Leave a message for staff to return your call about obtaining kits or seeking shelter during extreme weather.

*Many factors must come into play before a shelter will be opened:

MCCAC will decide when to open the Gloria Navigation Center as an emergency cooling shelter on a case-by-case basis, using guidance from multiple sources. It will post any openings on its website at https://www.mccac.com/.
Learn more about extreme weather from a variety of sources:
- Oregon Health Authority: Get Prepared
  - https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preparedness/prepare/pages/prepareforextremeheat.aspx
- Heat index (temperature adjusted for humidity)
  - https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex
- 2024 Air Quality Index
  - https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-02/pm-naaqs-air-quality-index-fact-sheet.pdf
- Protection from Wildfire Smoke
  - https://www.lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-topics/topics/wildfire-smoke

Detecting heat emergencies

Everyone is urged to take precautions when temperatures rise. See the charts below for some basic information on the difference between heat exhaustion and even more serious heat stroke. Staying cool, well-hydrated, and out of the sun and smoke are the basic first steps to remaining healthy. Check-in often on vulnerable persons, including elderly adults, to be sure they have the resources they need.

If someone is in an emergent situation CALL 911.