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Medford opens severe weather shelter By Vickie Aldous Updated: Nov 28, 2022 12:53 PM A A The city of Medford is opening extra shelter space due to cold weather. [123rf.com file photo] The city of Medford is opening up additional shelter space starting at 5:30 p.m. tonight and going through 8:30 a.m. Wednesday amid severe weather. 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 shelter is staffed by volunteers coordinated by the social services agency ACCESS. If you are interested in volunteering, please email [email protected] for more information. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will fall to 28 degrees overnight with light wind plus a 60% chance of rain at low elevations and snow above 1,500 feet. Medford City Manager Brian Sjothun has issued a severe weather event declaration for today through Tuesday. The declaration allows the use of approved severe event shelter facilities to provide overnight lodging when the temperature is expected to be below 25 F or 32 F with additional factors such as precipitation or wind, according to the city of Medford. 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 individuals in need of shelter during this extreme weather declaration, please contact Medford Fire-Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Tanner Farrington at 541-774-2300. Other permanent shelter options in Medford include the Kelly Shelter and a supervised urban campground run by Rogue Retreat. For more information, see rogueretreat.org . People can apply for a space at the Kelly Shelter. The Medford Police Department Liveability Team refers people to the urban campground, which includes tents and small shedlike homes designed for human habitation. For information about Medford Gospel Mission shelter and other services, see medfordgospelmission.org .