The National Weather Service predicts continued cold and wet weather tonight and throughout the week.  Considering the weather prediction and widespread power outages, Nevada County and Sierra Roots are activating the Extreme Weather Shelter Protocol for tonight, Monday night, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. The County will continue to assess the community need throughout the week as the predicted weather may continue to meet the County’s Shelter Activation protocols.

The County is opening two shelters in Nevada City at the Madelyn Helling Library Community Room and the lower level of the Nevada City Veterans Hall. The shelters open at 4:30 p.m. and will close at 7:30 a.m. This is a collaborative effort to temporarily shelter residents severely impacted by the current storms and our vulnerable homeless residents.

Nevada City Locations

  • Veterans Hall (lower level): 415 North Pine Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
  • Madelyn Helling Library Community Room: 980 Maidu Ave, Nevada City, CA 95959

Truckee Location

  • Church of the Mountains: 10079 Church Street Truckee, CA (NOTE: this shelter is operated separately from the County. Find more information from North Tahoe – Truckee Homeless Services)

County and Sierra Roots volunteers and staff will focus on providing safe and socially distanced sheltering during the weather event, in alignment with Public Heath COVID protocols. Utilizing the congregate model at a reduced capacity will permit greater social distancing of 6-ft or more. Guests will be medically screened and will agree to follow COVID protocols to limit the potential spread amongst shelter guests, including wearing a mask at all times.  Sheltering capacity will be limited to accommodate social distancing and modified programming.

Additional Services for Homeless Residents

With Sierra Roots leading the overall efforts, the Homeless Outreach and Medical Engagement Team (HOME Team) will provide case management services to attendees. Hospitality House will provide Homeless Access Transportation (HAT) to and from the sheltering location.  The Nevada County Veteran Services Office will also connect homeless veterans to available services.

Homeless residents can gain further assistance by dialing 2-1-1 or 1(844) 319-4119 to speak with a local 211 Connecting Point call specialist.

Shelter Activation Protocol

  1. Per the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services- National Weather Service’s LOW temperature prediction for the City of Nevada City is forecasted to be at or below 30 degrees, for a period of 4 hours or more overnight; or
  2. National Weather Service LOW temperature prediction for the City of Nevada City is at or below 32 degrees, for a period of 4 hours or more overnight, with snow on the ground in Nevada City; or
  3. Per the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services- National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Western Nevada County for elevations at or below 3,000 feet.
  4. Any other extreme weather event or condition identified by the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services in consultation with Nevada County Health and Human Services Agency and City staff.

Better Together Nevada County 

Better Together Nevada County is an overall strategy spearheaded by County of Nevada to support innovative and meaningful collaboration with key stakeholders, while educating the public, and inviting them to be part of the solution. Community Members wishing to learn more about volunteer opportunities to support non-profit organizations working on homelessness can visit the Better Together Volunteer Hub at ConnectingPoint.org/BetterTogether.  

Sierra Roots 

Sierra Roots takes a grass roots relationship-based approach in our work with homeless people and acknowledges the dignity of the homeless person and nurtures the connections within the community to lessen isolation and promote well-being. Sierra Roots is dedicated to listening to and collaborating with homeless people in helping them to define and meet their needs and is committed to helping homeless people secure safe homes and to progress in health and self-reliance. For more information about Sierra Roots, visit http://www.sierraroots.org/.