As temperatures in the Pacific Northwest hit above 110° F, locals have been forced to head to cooling centers and bring farm animals inside

The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings on Washington, Oregon, and parts of Idaho till 8 p.m., Thursday. Temperatures are expected to peak between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday.   

This weekend is shattering previous high temperature records around the region.

Cooling centers — which allow people to bring pets — are now open 24 hours a day across the city until at least Monday, according to Portland's city government.

Unfortunately, heat waves are especially dangerous for pets.

Dogs and cats with flat faces and a thick coat of fur are most vulnerable, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). 

The ASPCA warns against leaving animals alone in a parked vehicle or unattended in a pool, and to seek shade as much as possible when dealing with extreme heat.  

The extreme heat is pushing the electricity grid to its breaking point. On Sunday, Portland General Electric said around 5,000 residents were without power. 

Lack of air conditioning is a problem for many, as the typically moderate and cool weather most parts of the year means most residents don't bother installing A/C.

In neighboring Seattle, for example, only 44% of residents own air conditioners.

Instagram user @herrocharlie posted a picture of 400lbs of ice in the back of a car delivered to cooling centers in Oregon.

Some small-time chicken farmers have moved their feathery broods indoors.