Excessive Heat in Central Willamette Valley, Oregon

A 22-year-old California man drowned at Scotts Mill City Park in Marion County Wednesday, August 11th. Deputies say children were swimming in the water at the base of the falls around 3 p.m. when they spotted what appeared to be a man underneath the water. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Dive Team responded to the scene and recovered the body of an adult male. He was found in approximately eight feet of water directly below the falls. The high temperature at Salem (KSLE) was 103 degrees on the 11th and 12th.

Hot weather began to develop August 9, peaking August 11-12, but temperatures continued above normal into the weekend. Peak afternoon temperatures of 100 to 105 degrees drove people to seek relief in or near bodies of water. Heat caused slowdowns on the MAX light rail (Portland metro area) systems, and some businesses did close due to the heat. Cooling shelters were opened in several counties.