With a significant winter storm expected to hit many regions this weekend, local leaders are activating response plans to prepare their communities — focused on protecting people, keeping daily services moving and ensuring neighborhoods remain safe for everyone.
In cities, towns and villages of every size, municipal officials are putting winter weather response plans into motion, communicating with residents and partnering with community members to bolster resilience before, during and after snowstorms. At the National League of Cities, we see every day that winter response works best when local leaders and residents work together.
Planning and Coordination Before the Storm
Local governments don’t wait until the first flake falls to act. In advance of forecasted storms, city leaders activate winter response plans that draw on months of preparation: public works teams pre-treat major roads, emergency managers communicate parking rules and snow ordinances and departments coordinate to ensure resources are staged where they’re needed most. These efforts are anchored in a clear priority — keeping emergency access routes passable so that ambulances, fire crews, emergency responders and transit can continue to operate safely.
However, local leaders also know that municipal resources are limited. That’s why they are intentional about equipping residents with information and encouragement to support block-by-block safety while crews are responding citywide.
Neighborhood Accessibility Starts With Leadership and Communication
One of the core messages local leaders are emphasizing this winter is that neighborhood-level accessibility matters. Local leaders across the country are reminding residents that city snow crews typically focus first on primary thoroughfares. That means sidewalks, curb ramps, steps, hydrants and shared walkways may not be cleared immediately, even though residents need them to access transit, work, school and essential services.
Local leaders are sharing guidance early and often:
- Remind residents of snow ordinances and sidewalk clearing responsibilities to improve predictability.
- Communicate parking restrictions so plow drivers can do their jobs efficiently.
- Encourage early shoveling and treatment of high-traffic pedestrian areas to reduce icy conditions and prevent injuries.
By proactively engaging residents in the response conversation, local leaders can ensure that everyone understands how municipal efforts and community action combine to keep people safe and connected.
Preventing Injuries Through Shared Responsibility
Public safety is a top priority during winter weather events, and small actions can make a big difference. Local emergency responders emphasize that prevention starts with awareness — knowing your city’s winter rules, clearing snow before it turns to ice and treating walkways with salt or sand. When residents take these steps, they help reduce the risk of falls, promote mobility for neighbors of all ages and abilities and lessen demand for emergency responders who are already stretched thin during storms.
Supporting Vulnerable Neighbors With Respect
Winter weather doesn’t impact everyone equally. Older adults, people with disabilities and those who are homebound face particular challenges when snow and ice accumulate. Local leaders are encouraging neighbor-to-neighbor outreach that is both respectful and empowering — offering help rather than assuming what’s needed.
City communications often highlight this simple principle: Ask before acting. A respectful offer to shovel a sidewalk or salt a walkway goes a long way in building trust and strengthening community bonds, which in turn reinforces resilience during emergencies.
Working Together in Shared Spaces
In multi-unit buildings or rental properties, snow removal responsibilities can be confusing. Local leaders encourage property managers to communicate with tenants about snow removal schedules, and residents are encouraged to collaborate with neighbors to ensure shared entrances and walkways remain accessible. Together, these actions improve neighborhood safety and highlight the importance of neighbors helping one another.
Leadership, Proximity and Preparedness
Local government leaders understand that their proximity to residents is their superpower — and in moments of extreme weather, that closeness enables rapid response and meaningful communication. By activating and articulating clear plans, engaging residents as partners and elevating community-based action, local governments ensure that their cities remain safe, connected and resilient.
Additional Resources for Local Leaders
The National League of Cities offers practical guidance to help cities prepare for and respond to extreme weather. Local leaders can explore tips on how to utilize social media during extreme weather to keep residents informed in real time, as well as key considerations for planning future extreme weather events to strengthen long-term resilience. Together, these resources support clearer communication, better coordination and safer communities before, during and after severe weather.
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