Central Ohio has experienced significant snowfall over the weekend, with accumulations ranging from 8 to 16 inches, particularly impacting the southern counties the most. In response to this winter storm, Columbus city officials announced progress on snow removal from residential streets, following a concerted effort involving dozens of snowplows working to clear major roadways.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther noted that snowplows had focused initially on Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads—those that handle major traffic volume—before shifting to Priority 3 streets, which are residential areas, on Monday night. As of Tuesday morning, the city was prioritizing these neighborhood streets while continuing to service major thoroughfares.
Mayor Ginther acknowledged that, while the main roads are becoming passable, conditions remain inconsistent, particularly on side streets that continue to face difficulties. He urged drivers to exercise caution, reduce speed, avoid distractions, and maintain distance from snowplow operations for their safety and the safety of crews.
Scott Tourville, the head of the city’s Division of Infrastructure Management, reported that approximately 65% of Priority 3 streets had been serviced within the last 24 hours. He expressed confidence that all residential streets would be addressed within the next 12 to 24 hours. The city has not only focused on plowing but has also implemented the use of dump trucks to remove snow from downtown Columbus, an effort not seen since 2008.
Despite the ongoing work to clear roads, Mayor Ginther warned that the city is not yet “in the clear” due to the continued threat of extremely cold temperatures and encouraged residents to remain patient. Franklin County recently downgraded its Snow Emergency status to Level 1, though the mayor advised residents to stay home where possible to ensure both their safety and to allow crews ample room to work.
During the press conference, Tourville reported an unfortunate incident where a crew member was involved in a crash caused by a snowplow early Monday morning near Easton Town Center. The crew member was temporarily knocked unconscious but has since been discharged from the hospital.
Columbus officials have explicitly encouraged residents to report hazardous road conditions by reaching out to the city’s 311 service. With hundreds of crews working diligently across Columbus and the surrounding state, efforts to restore safe travel conditions continue amid challenges posed by the recent storm.