Hamilton County is under a Level 3 snow emergency and many local counties remain under a Level 2 snow emergency, meaning only those deemed necessary should hit the roads as cleanup from this weekend’s winter storm continues.
Clermont, Warren and Butler counties in Ohio and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in northern Kentucky are under a Level 2 snow emergency.
Under Level 3, roads are closed to non-emergency personnel. “No one should drive a vehicle except in the case of a personal emergency,” the sheriff’s office alert said.
Under Level 2, only drivers deemed necessary to travel should be on the road. Under Level 1, no roads are closed but non-essential travel is discouraged.
Snow Emergency Levels in Greater Cincinnati, NKY Counties
Snow emergency levels in local counties until 5:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26.
Snow emergency level in cities
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Bellevue: A Level 1 Snow Emergency is in effect Saturday afternoon. Avoid parking on the street, especially cul-de-sacs. Park as close to the curb as possible.
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blue ash: Snow emergency Tuesday, Jan. 27 until 5 p.m. Vehicles face fines or towing for parking on city streets and public right-of-way.
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Cincinnati: A snow emergency began Saturday afternoon. Move parked vehicles to the “Snow Emergency Zone” indicated on the parking signs. Vehicles that cannot be moved may be towed or ticketed. Here is a complete list of the city’s snow emergency routes.
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Crestview Hills: A snow emergency in effect requires all vehicles to be removed from city roads from 6pm Saturday to 6pm Monday.
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Falmouth: A snow emergency is in effect Saturday at 2 p.m. Snow emergency routes can be applied to allow for plowing and emergency access. Parking is prohibited on those routes. Residents are advised to travel only if necessary.
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Fort Mitchell: Level 2 snow emergency.
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ft. Wright : Snow emergency. All on-street parking is prohibited on all public streets.
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Freedom: Level 2 snow emergency. Parking is not permitted on city streets in Independence while the city is in a snow emergency.
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Mount Healthy: Snow Emergency from 5pm Saturday to 5pm Monday. No level specified. Parking on snow emergency routes prohibited.
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Reading: Snow emergency until noon Monday, January 26
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Southgate: A snow emergency is in effect until noon Monday.
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Springdale: A snow emergency on all city streets starting Saturday afternoon, according to a Facebook post. No level specified. Parking on city streets is not permitted during emergencies.
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Taylor Mill: Snow emergency.
Pedestrians walk their dogs in deep snow in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Hamilton County, Ohio until 6:00 PM Monday.
What does snow emergency level mean?
Definitions for snow emergencies can vary by state and county, but here are the basics:
What is a Level 1, 2 Emergency? Snow emergency level, explained
What is a level 1 snow emergency?
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Accumulated, blowing and drifting snow make roads dangerous and roads can become icy.
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Motorcyclists are urged to drive with extreme caution.
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No roads are closed but non-essential travel is discouraged.
What is a level 2 snow emergency?
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Accumulated, blowing and drifting snow makes roads dangerous and roads can be very muddy.
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Drive only if necessary.
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Employees should contact their employer to determine if they should report to work.
What is a level 3 snow emergency?
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Ice, blowing and drifting snow created extremely dangerous road conditions. Low visibility, extremely low temperatures and deteriorating road conditions are also factors.
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Some or all county roads are closed to all but emergency and essential people.
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No one should be on the road unless it is necessary and the violator can be arrested.
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All employees should contact their employer to determine if they should report to work.
Indiana travel tips
All of Southeast Indiana is under a “red” travel warning due to snowy conditions.
According to the Indiana government’s live travel advisory map, travel warnings have been issued for Dearborn, Switzerland and Ohio counties outside of Cincinnati.
A “red” alert is the highest level of local travel advisory, meaning travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During the warning, individuals are instructed to:
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Follow the necessary emergency measures.
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Collaborate with public authorities and disaster service forces to implement emergency action plans.
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Comply with and comply with the legal instructions of appropriately identified authorities.
This report will be updated. Contributing to Enquirer media partner Fox19.
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This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: What is the snow emergency level in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky?
