By The CUJ
MISSION – Record-breaking heat in Oregon caused the CTUIR government to consider keeping employees at home.
Those in the field were granted administrative leave for portions of each day during the week of June 28. An air conditioning issue in the north wing of the Nixyaawii Governance Center also caused an administrative leave or work from home scenario.
“Thanks for working hard through all this heat and stay safe and cool,” Interim Executive Director Paul Rabb said in a CTUIR broadcast.
As of July 6, the HVAC system had not been repaired, and employees in that area were allowed three hours of admin leave per day.
Elsewhere, the heat took a toll as well. Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start rescheduled its 2021 graduation ceremony, moving it from June 30 to July 14 at 5 p.m.
As of July 6, nearly 100 deaths state-wide were attributed to the triple-digit temperatures, according to the state’s medical examiner office. One death occurred in Umatilla County.
During the heat wave, Portland broke its all-time temperature record for three-straight days, including one day at 116 degrees. The temperature was significantly warmer than average June highs in the 80s, according to National Weather Service data. Pendleton, which reached 117 degrees on June 29, was the same story.
“This is the harbinger of things to come,” Gov. Kate Brown said. “We have been working to prepare for climate change in this state for a number of years. What was unprecedented, of course, was the three days of record-breaking heat, and it was horrific to see over 90 Oregonians lose their lives. And we have to continue with our preparedness work.”
