what counties in ohio are level 3
No Ohio Counties Currently at Level 3 Snow Emergency As of the latest updates around January 26, 2026, no counties in Ohio are under a Level 3 snow emergency. This comes after a major winter storm earlier in the month that prompted widespread declarations, but conditions have improved with many areas dropping to lower levels or lifting them entirely.
What Level 3 Means
Level 3 snow emergencies in Ohio are the most severe, issued by county sheriffs when roads are impassable. All non-emergency travel is banned—violators risk arrest. This system helps protect lives during extreme blizzards, icy conditions, and poor visibility, as defined by the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness.
Recent History (January 2026 Storm)
A powerful snowstorm hit central and southern Ohio around January 19-25, leading to widespread Level 3 declarations. Here's what reports showed at the peak:
Counties Reported at Level 3| Date/Source Notes
---|---
Athens, Champaign, Coshocton, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette,
Franklin, Guernsey, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison,
Marion, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Union,
Vinton| Jan 23 57
Franklin, Clark, Coshocton| Jan 25 update 3
- Franklin County made headlines for its first-ever Level 3 since the system's start.
- By Jan 20, some sources noted zero at Level 3, with others at Level 1/2 like Crawford, Hardin, Richland, and Knox.
- Situations change fast—sheriffs lift them as plows clear roads.
How to Check Latest Status
Ohio's 88 counties declare independently via sheriffs' offices (ODOT doesn't issue levels). For real-time info:
- Visit your county sheriff's website or Facebook.
- Check local news like ABC6 On Your Side or FOX28 Columbus.
- Use apps like Ohio 511 for road conditions.
Snow emergencies aren't COVID alerts (those ended years ago). With President Trump's administration focusing on infrastructure, expect continued emphasis on quick response.
TL;DR: Zero Level 3 counties right now—earlier storm peaked with 20+ affected, but all cleared. Stay safe and verify locally.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.