Warming center to open tomorrow night

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Onward Roseburg is seeking volunteers to help open the Roseburg Warming Center from Wednesday night, Feb. 22, through Sunday morning, Feb. 26, as winter storms and cold temperatures return to the area.

Everyone in need of temporary overnight shelter on especially cold winter nights will be welcome at the center housed in the Roseburg Senior Center, 1614 SE Stephens St., said warming center operator Kimetha Stallings, founder of Onward Roseburg.

The National Weather Service predicts Roseburg may see overnight low temperatures of 17 to 28 degrees Wednesday through Saturday nights. On Wednesday, rain and snow showers with an expected snow level of 600 feet elevation is forecast to turn into all snow after 7 p.m. with a possible 1 to 3 inches snow accumulation. Thursday is also predicted to see snow showers up to about 10 p.m. with a possible accumulation of 1.5 inches.

Friday is expected to be mostly sunny. A chance of showers returns Saturday when the snow level is expected to rise to 1,400 feet. Rain and snow showers are likely Saturday night, when the snow level may drop to 1,700 feet after midnight, according to the NWS.

Warming center check-in starts at 6 p.m. with 60 cots available for guests and volunteers. A free senior center shuttle will make a circuit around town for guests starting about 5:30 p.m. and then again in the morning. People can arrive any time during the night and stay until 8 a.m. A cot, blanket and pillow plus hot dinner and breakfast are provided.

Volunteers can sign up at signupgenius.com: https://bit.ly/3EuO5nX.

The City’s Severe Event Shelter Policy, Resolution No. 2020-22, provides operational standards for organizations seeking City approval to open a temporary emergency shelter in buildings not designated as residential occupancy. Those operational standards include allowing a warming shelter to open during severe weather:

• on nights when the low temperatures are predicted to be 30 degrees Fahrenheit or less;

• or when low temperatures are forecasted to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less with additional factors that could increase a person’s risk of exposure to cold such as precipitation, wind, fog and sustained low temperatures. 

In addition, the Roseburg Rescue Mission offers overnight shelter at 752 SE Pine St. all year.