The Great Winter Siege: Ohio Paralyzed as Snow Emergencies Hit Level 3 Across the Tri-State

By nt live blog usa news now Monday, January 26, 2026 | 6:09 a.m. ET

CINCINNATI — The Tri-State area awoke Monday morning to a landscape transformed and a region at a standstill. What began as a weekend winter storm, now dubbed Winter Storm Fern, has evolved into a historic weather event that has shuttered highways, grounded flights, and triggered the highest levels of emergency alerts seen in years.

As of 6:00 a.m. Monday, Hamilton County remains under a Level 3 Snow Emergency, a designation that effectively shuts down the county to all but essential emergency personnel. The decision, announced by Sheriff McGuffey late Sunday evening, reflects a grim reality on the ground: a combination of heavy snow accumulation, a treacherous layer of ice, and plummeting temperatures that have made travel not just difficult, but life-threatening.

Understanding the Emergency: Levels of Peril

For many Ohioans, “Snow Emergency” is a familiar term, but the legal weight of a Level 3 is rarely felt. In Ohio, these levels are designated by county sheriffs under the authority of the Ohio Revised Code. Here is the breakdown of what residents are currently facing:

• Level 1 (Advisory): Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.
• Level 2 (Warning): Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Residents are encouraged to contact their employers to see if they should report to work.
• Level 3 (Emergency): All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal medical emergency exists. Those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to arrest.

“This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a safety mandate,” a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office alert stated Monday morning. “Our crews need the space to clear paths for ambulances and fire trucks. If you are on the road without a personal emergency, you are hindering those efforts and risking your own safety.”

The Tri-State Breakdown

While Hamilton County sits at the epicenter of the Level 3 restrictions, the surrounding regions are faring little better. The “big dig out” has begun, but progress is slow as temperatures continue to drop.

County	Emergency Level	Status
Hamilton (OH)	Level 3	Roads Closed to non-emergency travel.
Highland (OH)	Level 3	All roads restricted to essential vehicles.
Butler (OH)	Level 2	Hazardous conditions; travel discouraged.
Clermont (OH)	Level 2	Crews working 24/7; necessary travel only.
Warren (OH)	Level 2	Blowing/drifting snow; caution advised.
Boone (KY)	Level 2	Only essential travel recommended.
Kenton (KY)	Level 2	Dangerous road conditions; limit travel.
Campbell (KY)	Level 2	Necessary travel only.

A Region Shuttered

The impact of Winter Storm Fern has rippled through every sector of local life. From the halls of government to the aisles of the local grocery store, the message is clear: stay home.

Education and Remote Learning

Virtually every school district in the Greater Cincinnati area has canceled in-person classes for Monday. Ohio State University has already announced a shift to virtual instruction for both Monday and Tuesday, while local districts like Butler Tech have moved to remote learning models to avoid falling behind the curriculum.

Government Closures

In Batavia, the Clermont County government offices remain closed, with officials monitoring messages from home. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has officially declared a local emergency, closing all non-essential county government offices for the day.

Public Transportation and Logistics

Transit systems have been hit particularly hard. All public bus services in Clermont County were canceled Monday morning. Meanwhile, trash collection services by providers like Rumpke are seeing delays of up to two days across the region, as heavy trucks struggle to navigate unplowed side streets. The Human Cost

The storm has already turned tragic. In Dayton, authorities reported the death of a private snowplow worker on Sunday. The employee was struck by a backing plow while clearing a lot—a sobering reminder of the hazards faced by those working to restore order to the region. The Looming Threat: The Deep Freeze

If the snow wasn’t enough, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Cold Warning effective from Monday evening through Tuesday morning . Wind chills are expected to hit 20 degrees below zero. At these temperatures, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Emergency management officials are urging residents to check on elderly neighbors and ensure that pets are brought indoors.
“We are moving from a snow event to a cold event,” said Michael Colbert, Montgomery County Administrator. “The snow on the ground is now freezing into a solid block, and the wind is making it impossible for salt to stay on the roads. This is a multi-day recovery process.”

Safety Tips for Residents

With the Level 3 emergency in effect, residents should:

Check Pipes: Keep faucets at a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting during the sub-zero stretch.

Stay In: Do not attempt to drive. If you are stranded, call 911 but do not leave your vehicle.

Conserve Heat: If you lose power, gather in a central room and use blankets to retain body heat.