CINCINNATI — Cincinnati is handling the first major winter storm of the year by sending out snowplow drivers and opening warming centers.

The Department of Public Services crews have been working in 12-hour shifts starting Sunday morning. Cincinnati has 27,000 tons of salt and 48,000 gallons of salt brine to use on streets.

Officials said there are more than 100 snowplow drivers ready to treat, plow and clear roads with the goal of having passable city streets 24 hours after the last snowfall.

The city is also activating a warming center at Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, located at 1715 Republic Street. The warming center will be active Jan. 6 through Jan. 10.

At the center, there will be expanded hours on Monday from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

From Tuesday through Friday, it will be open from 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. There will be blankets, hats, scarves, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks available. Behavioral health services and non-emergent health services will also be offered.

For those experience homelessness with pets, pet services will also be available.

Metro bus transportation to and from the overnight Winter Shelter, located at 411 Gest Street, will also be running.

Cincinnati Recreation Commission rec centers will function as warming centers during normal business hours as well; however, the other rec centers were closed Monday.

The city follows the Snow Emergency levels issued by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office:

  •  Level I Snow Alert: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow
  • Level II Snow Advisory: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work
  • Level III Snow Emergency: All Municipal, Township, County and State roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. Those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to arrest

Residents can track snowplows through the city’s snowplow tracker which can be found here.

The Connector Streetcar is running service on time every 12-15 minutes which is providing transportation downtown and in Over-the-Rhine with crews working to keep the stops and tracks clear.

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