City News Update

Your Cleveland Heights City Government

Winter Storm Warning

Thursday, December 23-24, 2022

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE CH-UH SCHOOLS HAVE CANCELLED SCHOOL FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022.

AS A RESULT, THE CLEVELAND HEIGHTS SENIOR CENTER WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.

If You Experience a Power Outage

The National Weather Service is predicting strong winds that may cause power outages, which can be extremely dangerous during intense winter weather events.

First Energy has provided us with the following tips to prepare for and manage a power outage.

Before the storm

Go to www.firstenergycorp.com/connect and subscribe to email and text message alerts to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms. You can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about your electric accounts.

Prepare an emergency kit with a flashlight, a first-aid kit, extra batteries, bottled water, a cell phone, a car charger, and a battery-powered radio.

If your power goes out

Report it to First Energy by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or by visiting First Energy’s power outage reporting page. You can also text OUT to 544487.

Visit First Energy’s real-time outage page for the most up-to-date information on outages, including causes, estimated restoration times, and crew status. You can also text STAT to 544487.

Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to preserve food for as long as possible. Consider purchasing bags of ice and placing them inside to help save perishable food.

Turn off or unplug sensitive electrical devices to safeguard them from power surges that may occur during the restoration process.

Leave an incandescent light on so you know when the power comes back.

NEVER OPERATE A GENERATOR INSIDE YOUR HOME. Exhaust from backup generators contains a high level of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, which can be dangerous or even fatal if inhaled.

Do not use candles around pets or small children, and never leave burning candles unattended.

Click here for First Energy's "Tips for Managing through a Power Outage"

Likely Emergency Parking Ban

This Weekend

Should the predicted weather occur, Mayor Seren anticipates issuing an emergency parking ban on all city streets from Friday, December 23, until at least Saturday, December 24, per Cleveland Heights Codified Ordinance 351.13.

To help aid snow removal and ensure safety, no vehicles will be allowed to park on Cleveland Heights streets during this emergency parking ban. Any vehicle parked on a Cleveland Heights street during an emergency parking ban may be towed at the owner's expense.

To protect yourself, your car, and other people, please DO NOT PARK ON CLEVELAND HEIGHTS STREETS IF AN EMERGENCY PARKING BAN IS ISSUED.

Streets that are exempt from the overnight parking ban in Cleveland Heights are also exempt from emergency parking bans. These exemptions were enacted to accommodate residents who have no access to off-street parking. For a list of streets that are exempt from the overnight parking ban and emergency parking bans, please refer to Cleveland Heights Codified Ordinance 351.09.

If You Use a Space Heater...

Please follow the safety recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association, which the Cleveland Heights Fire Department has provided below.

Space heaters can be very dangerous if used improperly. Yesterday, one person died in a fire in Shaker Heights that was caused by a space heater.

Stay warm AND stay safe.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST WEATHER UPDATES

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Cuyahoga County from 1:00 am Friday, December 23, through 10:00 am Saturday, December 24, 2022.

Potential weather hazards include:

Strong winds between 45-60 mph, which may cause power outages.

Very cold temperatures

Dangerously cold wind chills Friday and Saturday.

Intense snowfall Friday morning, with the possibility of a flash freeze.

Lake effect snow Friday and Saturday.

Hazardous travel conditions.

Please Plan Ahead for These

Potentially Dangerous Conditions

Secure outdoor objects that may blow around.

Prepare your home and car for the cold.

Be prepared for traffic disruptions.

Minimize your need to go out in the cold this weekend.

Keep an eye on your pets.

Check on your neighbors.

Come to the Cleveland Heights Community Center to Get Warm

One Monticello Boulevard

The Cleveland Heights Community Center will be open this weekend as a warming center. If your home loses power or is too cold, please come to the Community Center to stay safe and warm.

Tips from the Cleveland Heights

Department of Public Works

When you are driving during winter conditions:

Plan to leave early and allow extra travel time to your destination.

If winter weather is severe, don’t go out unless it is absolutely necessary. Err on the side of caution and stay home.

Check to ensure your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and have a safe tread depth. It is recommended that motorists maintain a minimum of 5/32” of tread to provide traction and tire adhesion to wet or snowy roads.

Always clear all the snow off your vehicle, and never drive with snow piled on top of the car. Snow from the top of your vehicle may slide forward and obstruct your view of the road.

Check to ensure that you have working/functional windshield wipers and sufficient windshield washer fluid. Carry extra windshield washer fluid in your trunk, just in case.

Carry a snow brush/ice scraper, an extra pair of gloves, a winter hat, a blanket, and a small shovel in your vehicle in case you get stuck in the snow.

Check your vehicle lights to ensure that all headlamps, tail lamps, brake lights, turn signals, and flashers are properly working.

If your vehicle becomes stuck on the road, immediately turn on your 4-way flashers and NEVER EXIT YOUR VEHICLE ABRUPTLY.

Always Keep your cell phone charged and on hand.

Use caution and slow your speed when driving on freshly fallen snow or snow that has not been plowed.

Do not attempt to pass plow trucks. Plow drivers are constantly observing all conditions and may have to swerve around parked cars or obstacles in the road.

Do not follow closer than 25 feet from the rear of a plow truck. Plow drivers may be forced to slow down or stop suddenly to protect pedestrians on the sidewalk from thrown snow.

Never attempt to overtake a tandem plow operation. Trucks may be plowing in tandem or even 3 or 4 at a time. Maintain a 25-foot distance from the rear-most truck.

When clearing snow at your home

Please do not throw snow from driveways and sidewalks into the street, and do not block sidewalks while plowing your driveway.

During heavy snow events, please refrain from parking vehicles in the street and/or near the edge of the driveway and the street. Doing so can slow clearing operations.

Please DO NOT place your trash carts in the street.

For additional winter driving tips and resources, check out:

How Cleveland Heights Plows Its Streets

Heavy snowfall events are challenging and potentially dangerous for drivers, and the City of Cleveland Heights works hard to clear its streets of snow and ice as quickly as possible.

Weather conditions sometimes make clearing the streets challenging. Cleveland Heights's priorities when removing snow are:

Main streets are plowed first because they have more traffic and more potential for accidents. If the snow is falling rapidly, plow trucks may be forced to stay on the main streets until the snow subsides.

Once main streets are passable, trucks plow the side streets.

Cleveland Heights applies de-icing agents on main streets, school zones, hills, and intersections. Side streets only receive de-icing agents during extreme ice events.

During a winter weather event, please drive carefully and be patient. We WILL get the streets cleared, but during heavy snow, it may take time.