The Medford Severe Weather Shelter is open today to tonight, Thursday, Dec. 8, at 332 West 6th Street with hours of operation 5:30 p.m. to 8:30am. Its services include food, bedding and dry storage capabilities for as many as 64 people at the low-barrier shelter which does not require any religious affiliation or drug testing to enter.

Medford’s shelter is staffed by volunteers coordinated by community service agency ACCESS, which coordinates volunteering with information by email at volunteer@accesshelps.org. The City partners with ACCESS to open and operate its severe weather shelter.

The City of Medford says it is monitoring weather conditions and will update the declaration status as necessary. It says people can text MED4SHELTERS to 888777 for information about severe weather event shelters in Medford.

The City of Medford says it “will not enforce tent restrictions associated with the prohibited camping ordinance throughout the duration of this severe weather event declaration. All fires remain prohibited throughout the City.”

The City invites local organizations interested in opening their facilities to people in need of shelter during this extreme weather declaration to contact Deputy Fire Marshal Tanner Farrington at 541-774-2300.