Cold Weather Advisory continues through February 1

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold A. Pretel has lifted the Snow Emergency for Cuyahoga County. Although most main roads are passable, motorists are urged to drive cautiously and continue to follow the guidance of their home municipality on parking bans and road closures.  

If traveling by vehicle, residents are advised to clear snow from their vehicle before driving, travel at reduced speeds, increase following distance, and allow for extra time to reach destinations. Motorists should also prepare and travel with a vehicle go-kit that includes jumper cables, food and water, a flashlight, an ice scraper, and warm clothing and blankets.

 
More Information About Personal Preparedness

The National Weather Service is warning residents that dangerously low temperatures and wind chills are expected to persist through next week, increasing risks to health and safety.  

The Office of Emergency Management is urging residents to continue to be prepared for extreme cold weather conditions across the region. Prolonged cold exposure may increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, and impact vulnerable populations. 

Residents are reminded to: 

• Stay indoors during the worst part of the cold.
• Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
• Dress in layers: Wear a hat, gloves, and scarf to reduce heat loss.
• Keep a winter go-kit in your vehicle. Be prepared for dead car batteries, iced-over windshields, and broken car locks.
• Limit travel when able and drive cautiously.
• Check on elderly neighbors and those at risk.
• Bring pets inside.
• Use extreme caution around downed wires - do not touch or attempt to remove downed wires. Report downed wires to emergency services immediately.
• Treat any intersection with a non-functioning traffic signal as a four way stop.

Anyone seeking shelter should contact United Way 2-1-1 or visit the County’s Emergency Management website for information on warming centers. 

The City of Cleveland has activated Warming Centers through Sunday, February 1. Hours are:

• Wednesday - Friday, January 28 - 30, from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. 
• Saturday and Sunday, January 31 and February 1, from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Locations:

• Michael Zone Recreation Center (West side) - 6301 Lorain Avenue
• EJ Kovacic Recreation Center (Near downtown) – 6250 St. Clair Avenue
• Zelma George Recreation Center (Southeast) – 3155 Martin L. King Boulevard
• Collinwood Recreation Center (Northeast) – 16300 Lakeshore Boulevard 

Additional Resources: 

• Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services aids our senior population. Call 216-420-6700
• Office of Homeless Services
• HEAP Winter Crisis Program
• FEMA Winter Storm Guide  

Cuyahoga County urges residents to follow cuyahogacounty.gov/coldweather for comprehensive cold weather resources including a map that displays warming center locations throughout the County. Residents are urged to sign up for alerts through the County’s emergency notification system, Ready Notify.