City of Columbus

Snow and Ice Control

• MEDIA
• Columbus Warrior Watch

  For the snowy days of winter, the City of Columbus has developed Columbus Warrior Watch to allow residents to see what streets citywide have been serviced in the past 72 hours.

  Residents can go online at WarriorWatch.columbus.gov to see:

  1)      What has been serviced citywide

  2)      What priority level—1, 2 or 3—is your street

  Click here to access the Columbus Warrior Watch site.  Click here for more information about how Columbus Warrior Watch works.  

  The Columbus Warrior Watch application works most effectively on computers that have modern desktop browsers such as Google Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer, version 10 or higher. 

   

• FAQ
  The Division of Infrastructure Management has answered your most common questions here and provided definitions of the most common snow and ice control terms here
• SNOW AND ICE PLAN
  The objective of the City of Columbus snow and ice control program is to allocate trained personnel, proper equipment, and adequate materials to provide a Passable Roadways objective that allows for safe travel on our main and secondary roadways. -learn more

  The Citizen's Pamphlet is also available for download.

   
• DID YOU KNOW?

  Every winter storm is different, so the strategy for responding to a specific storm varies from storm to storm.  However, each street has a priority. -learn more
• ANTI-ICING

  The City of Columbus anti-ices the streets prior to potential events to limit the negative impact on the roadways. -learn more

   
• PAINT-THE-PLOW
  The Department of Public Service is proud to partner with Columbus Schools for the Paint-the-Plow Program.  The program encourages development of art skills and helps students get a hands-on understanding of the work of the Department. -learn more
• Residents and Businesses Have Roles, Too:  Shoveling sidewalks and driveways
  • Shovel your sidewalk:  Under City Code, property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice off sidewalks that abut their properties or are on their properties.  This applies to both residences and businesses (City Code Section 902.03)
  • When shoveling your driveway, do not shovel or push snow into the street or onto a sidewalk.  City Code prohibits shoveling snow into the street or onto a sidewalk (City Code Section 902.03).  Pile snow in a yard or another spot away from a sidewalk, driveway or steps.
  • Apply salt, sand or cat litter to icy steps and paths
• More Ways Residents Can Help
  • Drive with extra care and leave additional distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
  • Maintain a distance of no less than 100 feet behind a snow plow truck
  • Avoid passing snow plow trucks because the drivers cannot always see a smaller car about to pass
  • Follow snow emergency laws when a snow emergency is declared
  • When possible, park vehicles in driveways or parking lots and off streets to give plow trucks room to plow
  • Check on senior citizens, shut-ins and other neighbors with mobility impairments
  • When the snow begins to melt, clear snow from in front of catch basins by shoveling the snow into storm sewers.  The heat of the storm sewer will melt the snow and allow other melting snow and ice to flow freely into storms sewers.
• Driving Tips

  1.  Motorists are advised to practice defensive driving and exercise caution at all times.

  2. Before beginning your trip, check the current road conditions and the weather forecast.

  3. Be prepared for changing road conditions. Store a backpack or kit in your car with an ice scraper, jumper cables, a first aid kit, and blankets.

  4. Keep a full tank of gas in your car during winter driving conditions.

  5. Keep a safe distance when following other vehicles especially snow plows. Remain 100ft behind a snow plow.

  6. Proper snow tires should be part of your fall/winter driving maintenance schedule.

  7. Listen to your local radio stations during extreme weather conditions for road closures and weather updates.

  8. Safe drivers know their limits. If the roads are bad, remember: “Ice and snow, take it slow, or just don’t go”.