Winter Weather Readiness

Emergency preparedness before and during a winter storm

Are you prepared for winter weather? We’re here to help by sharing tips on how to prepare your household or business for winter storms.

If possible, stay at home until the storm has passed. The fewer people on the roads, the better.

Here are useful tools to have on hand in the event of a major snowstorm:

  • Snow shovel, ice scraper and snow brush
  • Coarse sand to create a less slippery surface on walkways and driveways
  • Flashlights and warm blankets in case the electricity goes out
  • Extra food and prescription medicines in case you are stuck at home for a few days
  • Drinking water in case a pipe bursts and a plumber can’t arrive quickly

OHA also provides helpful winter preparedness tips, from preventing frostbite and hypothermia to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. Give them a look!

We have snowplow-equipped trucks and trained operators. Learn more and view our Snowplow Route Map. This map highlights priority streets, or the major arterials, which take precedence over collector streets and neighborhoods. 

Emerging from the Storm 

One of the most common questions we receive after a snowstorm is when we will come clear sidewalks, driveways or parking spaces. Unfortunately, the answer is… we won’t! Sidewalks and driveways are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner per our municipal code. Part of this is due to our capacity. Our staff will be focused on clearing roads, repairing major infrastructure and responding to emergency calls, so we rely on community members to keep their sidewalks and driveways clear. If you have a neighbor that struggles shoveling snow, please jump in to help. 

As for parking spaces and public parking lots, these are the lowest priority for our snowplows. If you’d like to keep parking available in front of your business, you are welcome to shovel the snow out of the way. Please just stay safe and watch for traffic while you do so. 

Winter Driving

Remember, if driving becomes treacherous, pull over to the nearest parking space and get home another way! In major snow events, the City will suspend issuing parking tickets until people are able to safely get their vehicles home.

Check out ODOT's (Oregon Department of Transportation) Winter Travel News Packet 2025-2026 (PDF). This important guide features winter travel information, driver responsibilities, safe cycling in the winter, information about TripCheck and so much more! Make a plan to use TripCheck.com for information on road conditions and closures. With TripCheck you get access to traffic cameras, incident alerts, travel information and more! (If you are in an area without internet access, call 511 for information.)

Safety tips for driving in winter weather:

  • Slow down
  • Don't use cruise control
  • Leave plenty of distance between you and other vehicles


Looking for additional winter driving tips? Our Transportation Advisory Committee offers, Winter Driving in Ashland: Staying Safe When the Weather Turns.

Reporting Infrastructure Issues 

If you experience a power outage or see downed trees or other storm damage during or after a storm, we have an app for easy reporting. SeeClickFix is Ashland’s live citizen reporting tool for non-emergency issues. You can download it from your app store or use our web reporting tool. 


Stay safe out there and enjoy the winter weather!