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Medford extends severe weather shelter through Friday By Vickie Aldous By Mail Tribune staff Updated: Nov 29, 2022 08:07 PM A A The National Weather Service predicts continued rain at low elevations and snow at higher elevations in the Rogue Valley. [123rf.com file photo] The city of Medford is extending the operation of its severe weather shelter through Friday due to continued cold, wet conditions. The temporary overnight shelter opened Monday evening and was set to close back down Wednesday morning. However, city officials announced overnight operations have been extended: between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. from Wednesday evening through Friday. The Medford Severe Weather Shelter, located at 332 W. Sixth St., offers services that include food, bedding and dry storage space. The shelter can accommodate 64 people and is low-barrier, meaning no religious affiliation or drug testing is required to enter, the city of Medford said. The Medford shelter is staffed by volunteers coordinated by the social services agency ACCESS. If you are interested in volunteering, email [email protected] for more information. Medford City Manager Brian Sjothun extended a previous severe weather declaration through Friday. The declaration allows the use of approved severe event shelter facilities to provide overnight lodging when the temperature is expected to be below 25 degrees, or 32 degrees with additional factors such as precipitation or wind. The city is closely monitoring weather conditions and will provide updates to the declaration status as necessary. Text MED4SHELTERS to 888777 to receive the latest on severe weather event shelters in Medford. Additionally, the city said it will not be enforcing tent restrictions associated with Medford’s prohibited camping ordinance throughout the duration of this severe weather event declaration. All campfires remain prohibited throughout the city. The city of Medford partners with ACCESS to open and operate the severe weather shelter. It’s the city’s responsibility to monitor weather forecasts, coordinate with ACCESS to determine staffing ability and if staffing is available and to declare a severe event. If local organizations are interested in opening their own facilities to people in need of shelter during this extreme weather declaration, contact Medford Fire-Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Tanner Farrington at 541-774-2300. The city of Ashland opened a temporary overnight shelter Monday and will keep it open at least through Thursday. At the Ashland shelter, doors open at Pioneer Hall across from Lithia Park each night at 5 p.m. and then close for the night at 9 p.m., with lights out at 10 p.m. The shelter will close each morning at 9 a.m. People should bring their own bedding to the no-frills shelter. Well-behaved pets are allowed. For questions or if you are interested in volunteering at the Ashland shelter, call Avram Sacks, community volunteer at 541-220-7307. The National Weather Service predicts rain at low elevations in the Rogue Valley and snow at higher elevations through Saturday. The snow level could dip below 2,000 feet Thursday and Friday nights, which would bring snow to Ashland, foothills and mountains.