Medford, Oregon- Medford City Manager Rob Field has issued a Severe Weather Event Declaration for Tuesday, December 10, enabling the city to activate its Severe Weather Shelter. This declaration is triggered when temperatures are forecasted to fall below 25°F or 32°F with additional factors such as precipitation or wind.
The Severe Weather Shelter, located at 332 W. 6th Street, will operate from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Services include food, bedding, and dry storage for up to 64 individuals. The shelter is low-barrier, requiring no religious affiliation or drug testing for entry. It is staffed by volunteers organized by ACCESS, a local nonprofit.
Volunteer Opportunities
The shelter’s operation relies on volunteer support, and the city is encouraging community members to assist. Those interested in volunteering can contact ACCESS by emailing volunteer@accesshelps.org.
Monitoring and Additional Support
The city will continue to monitor weather conditions and update the status of the declaration as needed. Residents can stay informed about shelter openings by texting MED4SHELTERS to 888777.
To further assist individuals experiencing homelessness, the city has postponed enforcement actions related to its prohibited camping ordinance for the duration of the severe weather declaration. However, all fires remain prohibited citywide to ensure public safety.
Collaborative Efforts
Medford partners with ACCESS to coordinate shelter operations, with the city responsible for monitoring weather forecasts and declaring severe weather events. Opening the shelter requires at least 48 hours’ notice to mobilize volunteers and resources safely.
Local organizations interested in providing additional shelter options during this period are encouraged to contact Deputy Fire Marshal Tanner Farrington at 541-774-2300 for coordination.
Source: City of Medford
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