01/24/2026
SHERIFF’S WINTER STORM WARNING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 23, 2026
Elyria, OH – Lorain County Sheriff Jack M. Hall met with over 50 community leaders around Lorain County this afternoon to plan for this weekend’s winter storm warning. The meeting established the creation of a virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for government leaders and the sheriff has issued a parking ban for all township highways, roads and streets which will go into effect 5 p.m. Saturday (January 24th) until further notice.
Government officials throughout the county will manage a response plan to deal with road conditions, emergency shelter operations and critical communications for residents and motorists who are affected by this weekend’s anticipated storm. All information will be centralized through the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office page (https://www.facebook.com/LorainCountySheriff) and available on individual community websites and social media outlets.
A road salt shortage is affecting Lorain County and most all townships, villages and cities. Road crews will be plowing roadways however, limited salt supplies will be mixed with brine and cinders to be applied to intersections, rail crossings and critical areas. Please be advised that road salt is not very effective in temperatures less than 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
If a level 2 snow emergency is declared, Sheriff Hall recommends residents stay home and refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary. “We’re trying to ensure road crews can maintain roadways without unnecessary interference from motorists,” said Hall. “Additionally, the parking ban is necessary to keep up with clearing secondary roadways in the townships.”
If communities are required to close individual roadways due to extreme weather conditions, closures will be coordinated through the virtual EOC by the Sheriff and the Lorain County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). All coordinated road closures and other issues affecting local communities such as power outages and public safety emergencies will be posted on the Sheriff’s page.
In the event a Level 3 Snow Emergency is declared by the Sheriff, all roadways in Lorain County (including municipalities) will be closed to non-emergency traffic. Only first responders and essential personnel will be allowed to traverse roadways at their own risk. Essential personnel include medical professionals, tow operators and personnel affiliated with the following critical business and government entities: hospitals, urgent cares, gas stations, HVAC businesses, maintenance and service personnel for business/government, tree services, drug stores, grocery stores and air traffic control. A level 3 snow emergency will affect mail and delivery services as well.
Sheriff Hall would like to advise that motorists who park on roadways during the announced parking ban or who are non-essential personnel that traverse roadways during a level 3 snow emergency are subject to citation or arrest. Such violators may be charged with Misconduct During An Emergency by any law enforcement officer. Additionally, municipal police offers may cite vehicle owners under local codified ordinance for prohibited parking during an emergency snow parking ban in their respective municipalities.
Further information about emergency snow levels and parking bans may be viewed at the Lorain County Sheriff’s website under the resources tab (www.loraincountysheriff.com).
