City Update: Winter Storm Closures and Essential Public Safety Notices
Emergency Closures and Meeting Cancellations
Due to the severe winter storm currently impacting Northeast Ohio, Cleveland City Hall and the Public Auditorium are closed today, Monday, January 26, 2026. All non-essential city services have been suspended for the day, with regular business hours expected to resume on Tuesday, January 27. Consequently, the Cleveland City Council regular meeting scheduled for this evening has been officially canceled. Residents who were registered for public comment slots at today’s meeting will have their appointments moved to the next regular session on Monday, February 2, 2026. The Urban Forestry Commission’s winter public meeting has also been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 27, at 4:00 PM in City Hall Room 514.
Winter Weather Advisory and Parking Restrictions
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through noon today, followed by a Cold Weather Advisory as temperatures are expected to drop significantly. Mayor Justin Bibb and the Department of Public Works have announced a regional rock salt shortage due to delivery delays from state-contracted suppliers. As a result, road crews are prioritizing hills, main arterial roads, and areas near hospitals. A snow emergency parking ban remains in effect for all designated city streets. Vehicles parked on red-and-white marked snow emergency routes are subject to ticketing and towing to ensure that snowplows can navigate safely. Residents are urged to use the city’s online snowplow tracker to monitor clearing progress in their neighborhoods.
Public Health and Utility Alerts
Cleveland Water has issued a precautionary boil advisory for customers in the city of Brunswick and a small portion of Strongsville following multiple main breaks on January 24. Residents in the affected area, particularly near Pearl Road and Boston Road, should boil water for at least three minutes before consumption or use for food preparation. To assist those affected by the extreme cold, four city recreation centers have been designated as emergency warming centers through Wednesday, January 28. These facilities are available to any resident needing a safe, heated environment. Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic has issued a health advisory regarding frostbite risks, advising citizens to minimize skin exposure and seek immediate medical attention if they experience persistent numbness or tingling.
Public Comment Opportunities
The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), in partnership with the City of Cleveland, is currently seeking public feedback on the proposed installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Michael Zone and Sterling Recreation Centers. The public comment period is open through February 6, 2026. Interested parties may submit their feedback regarding the proposed level 2 chargers via the official NOACA planning portal or by contacting the transportation planning office directly.