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Columbus Deploys Historic Downtown Snow‑Hauling Plan as Snowfall Peaks at 16‑Inches

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Snowfall Totals and Emergency Declarations The weekend storm deposited between 8 inches and more than 16 inches of snow across central Ohio, with Zanesville reporting 16.9″ and London 14.3″, making it one of the season’s largest events and the fifth‑largest on record for Columbus [1][7][9][13]. County‑wide snow‑emergency levels were set to Level 2 for most of the region, while Hardin County remained at Level 3, restricting travel to essential personnel [5][12]. Subzero temperatures and wind chills of –10 °F to –20 °F persisted through the week, prompting a Weather Impact Alert that will remain active for seven days [1][8][9].

City Response: Snow‑Warriors, Road Priorities, and Downtown Hauling Mayor Andrew Ginther briefed reporters that crews were working nonstop under hazardous conditions, focusing first on Priority‑1 arterial roads such as State Route 315, High Street, and Cleveland Avenue, with an expected 12‑24‑hour clearance window [4]. The Columbus Snow Warriors and hundreds of additional crews were deployed citywide, while a dedicated downtown snow‑hauling plan—unused since the 2008 blizzard—created central lanes for dump trucks that moved snow to McCoy Park for melting [3][4]. Officials emphasized that the goal is safe, passable roads rather than total clearance, urging residents to stay home during the emergency [3][4].

Impact on Transportation, Schools, and Essential Services More than a dozen school districts, including Columbus City Schools and Ohio State, canceled classes for Monday and Tuesday, and numerous businesses, courts, and the Columbus Zoo remained closed through the weekend [7][10][13][19][20]. COTA suspended all fares through Tuesday and kept buses running to reduce private‑vehicle trips [16]; the city’s trash collection continued while private hauler Rumpke halted service due to icy roads [15]. Tow operators fielded hundreds of calls, with Broad & James logging roughly 100 requests and adding five drivers, many of whom rescued stranded nurses and other healthcare workers [2].

Public Safety Alerts and Health Advisories Governor Mike DeWine warned of an Arctic air mass that will keep temperatures below zero for a week, issuing an Extreme Cold Warning with wind chills potentially reaching –25 °F [6]. The Ohio State Fire Marshal cautioned against unsafe space‑heater use after 108 fires were linked to such devices last winter [6]. Residents were urged to limit outdoor exposure, dress warmly, and call 311 or #677 for assistance if vehicles become stuck [6].

Monitoring Tools and Ongoing Updates 10TV provided continuous live coverage via its 10TV+ app, interactive radar, and daily Weather Impact alerts, allowing residents to track road conditions, power outages, and snow‑removal progress [5][14]. Emergency managers updated snow‑emergency levels throughout the weekend, and the public could follow real‑time maps from Columbus Warrior Watch, Dublin’s snow‑service map, and other municipal dashboards [5][4].

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Timeline

Dec 1, 2025 – A fast‑moving winter storm delivers the season’s first widespread snow to the Northeast, dumping up to 10 inches in parts of New England while bringing 4‑5 inches to Ohio and Kentucky; a 21‑year‑old driver dies in Missouri after a crash on icy roads, and Missouri officials log more than 350 crashes and 800 service calls. [1]

Dec 2, 2025 – The nor’easter pushes into New York and Pennsylvania, while over two dozen Ohio counties issue Level 1‑3 snow emergencies; a tractor‑trailer driver is rescued from a bridge in West Virginia after skidding on icy pavement. [2]

Dec 2, 2025 – Columbus activates 50 plow trucks, deploying 4,600 lane‑miles of snow‑clearing, 30,000 tons of road salt and 4,000‑gallon‑per‑hour brine capacity; Mayor Andrew Ginther says the city “is ready for the first major snowstorm of the season.” [26]

Dec 2, 2025 – The Ohio Department of Transportation mobilizes 150 crews statewide to pre‑treat and clear roads overnight, emphasizing rapid response to keep primary routes open within two hours of the storm’s end. [30]

Dec 2, 2025 – Central Ohio receives 3‑6 inches of snow, with Columbus reporting over 4 inches; Level 2 and Level 3 snow emergencies restrict travel and close non‑essential roads. [25]

Dec 5, 2025 – Record‑low wind chills sweep Ohio, plunging into single‑digit values and producing wind‑chill readings lower than any previous reading for the season, prompting officials to warn of frostbite risk. [23]

Dec 12, 2025 – Columbus City Schools cancel several Saturday extracurricular events, citing travel‑hazard forecasts that predict 2‑5 inches of snow and blowing conditions across the southern counties. [22]

Dec 15, 2025 – Multiple central Ohio districts (e.g., Columbus City Schools, Canal Winchester, Groveport Madison) cancel or delay Monday classes as slick roads and subzero wind chills persist after Saturday’s snowfall. [20]

Dec 15, 2025 – Columbus City Schools announce a full Monday cancellation of classes and extracurriculars, urging families to stay home amid hazardous travel conditions and bitter cold. [21]

Dec 2, 2025 – Columbus City Schools cancel Tuesday classes and extracurriculars because overnight snow creates slippery streets, joining other districts in shutting down for the day. [27]

Dec 2, 2025 – Central Ohio schools, courts, and colleges (including Columbus State Community College) close on Tuesday as 2‑4 inches of snow accumulate, and Franklin County courts suspend operations. [28][29]

Jan 16, 2026 – The Columbus Metropolitan Library opens a portion of its main branch as a cold‑weather shelter from noon to 9 p.m., providing Wi‑Fi, seating and restrooms while regular library services remain closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. [19]

Jan 18, 2026 – COTA waives all fares on Jan 19‑20 during a Franklin County Cold Weather Advisory, noting that “the no‑fare policy activates for any NWS heat or cold advisory,” and runs Sunday schedules because of the holiday. [18]

Jan 22, 2026 – Ohio sheriffs prepare to declare snow emergencies under a three‑level system, with Maj. Jim Sweat explaining that “declaring a snow emergency requires coordinating with local emergency management, elected officials, deputies, road department, state highway department, and the county engineer’s office.” [17]

Jan 23, 2026 – 10TV launches continuous live coverage of the major winter storm across Ohio, streaming updates via the 10TV+ app and providing real‑time radar, road‑closure maps and school‑closure lists as up to 16 inches fall in central Ohio. [9]

Jan 25, 2026 – Six vehicles become stranded on I‑70 West near US 33 as snow intensifies; the highway reopens within two hours and the National Weather Service extends a Winter Storm Warning to all 88 Ohio counties. [16]

Jan 25, 2026 – Ohio deploys over 1,200 plow crews statewide, with ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning posting frequent updates on X and urging drivers to “give crews space and allow extra travel time.” [15]

Jan 25, 2026 – COTA suspends all fares through Tuesday, keeping buses running despite a Level 2 snow emergency that covers most central Ohio counties and a record‑size storm that drops up to 16 inches. [11]

Jan 25, 2026 – Kroger shuts 115 stores early Sunday and Giant Eagle closes at 4 p.m. as every central Ohio county declares a Level 3 snow emergency, while forecasters warn that heavy snowfall will continue through the day. [12]

Jan 25, 2026 – The Columbus Zoo announces it will remain closed through Jan 30, citing safety for guests, staff and animals as the storm leaves more than 16 inches of snow and subzero wind chills across the region. [13]

Jan 25, 2026 – Ohio State University cancels Monday‑Tuesday in‑person classes at its Columbus and Newark campuses, directing faculty to shift to virtual instruction as the storm deposits over 16 inches of snow and forecasts subzero temperatures with wind chills of –10 °F to –20 °F. [14]

Jan 26, 2026 – Columbus trash collection proceeds Monday despite the storm, while private hauler Rumpke pauses service due to hazardous roads; officials warn that an additional 12‑16 inches may fall, making it the fifth‑largest storm on record for Columbus. [10]

Jan 26, 2026 – The Columbus Blue Jackets postpone their Monday night game against the Los Angeles Kings to March 9, citing a foot of snow and extreme cold that make travel unsafe; the team moves its next home game up to Wednesday against the Flyers. [8]

Jan 26, 2026 – Statewide Winter Storm Warnings expire as the system moves out, but forecasts call for subzero temperatures and wind chills of –10 °F to –20 °F through the week, triggering a Weather Impact Alert for extreme cold. [5]

Jan 27, 2026 – Central Ohio receives 8‑16+ inches of snow, with Zanesville reporting 16.9 inches; Franklin County stays at Level 2 Snow Emergency while many neighboring counties remain under emergency declarations, and a Weather Impact Alert warns of wind chills between –10 °F and –20 °F for at least a week. [3]

Jan 27, 2026 – Tow operators in central Ohio log roughly 100 calls on Sunday; Broad & James Towing adds five drivers and its owner Jim Shriner calls the storm “the worst in a decade,” noting that most stranded motorists are nurses and other healthcare workers. [4]

Jan 27, 2026 – Columbus activates its downtown snow‑hauling plan for the first time since the 2008 blizzard; Division of Infrastructure Management administrator Scott Tourville calls the event “historical,” while residents Megan Rowe and Beth Lloyd warn that central‑lane snow piles make driving “nervous” and have already trapped a car. [6]

Jan 27, 2026 – The Ohio Department of Transportation updates snow‑emergency levels for central Ohio counties, listing Level 1 (e.g., Champaign, Delaware), Level 2 (e.g., Athens, Franklin) and Level 3 (Hardin) designations to guide travel restrictions and employer expectations. [7]

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