Public Notice: Winter State of Emergency and City Service Adjustments

Mayor Declares State of Emergency Amid Severe Winter Storm

Mayor Cara Spencer has officially declared a state of emergency for the City of St. Louis, active as of Monday, January 26, 2026. This declaration comes in response to a significant winter storm that has brought upwards of 12 inches of snow to the region, accompanied by dangerously low temperatures. The emergency status provides the city with expanded authority for emergency contracting and allows for the coordination of resources across all municipal departments to ensure public safety during the recovery process. Residents are urged to remain off the roads to allow snowplow operators to prioritize major arterials and hill routes.

Closure of City Offices and Municipal Courts

Due to hazardous travel conditions and extreme cold, all non-essential City of St. Louis government offices are closed today, Monday, January 26. While essential personnel in public safety, emergency management, and street maintenance remain active, residents are advised to conduct any necessary city business through official online portals. Additionally, the St. Louis City Municipal Court has canceled all court sessions scheduled for today. Cases will be automatically continued to a later date, and the court has confirmed that no warrants or summons will be issued for failure to appear during this weather emergency.

Refuse Collection Schedule Adjusted

The City’s Refuse Division has announced a full suspension of trash and recycling collection for Monday, January 26. This move allows the Street Department to reassign refuse drivers to snow call duty. A one-day delay will be in effect for the remainder of the week to ensure all neighborhoods receive service as conditions improve:

• Monday collections are postponed to Tuesday, January 27.
• Tuesday collections are postponed to Wednesday, January 28.
• Regularly scheduled collection services will resume on Thursday, January 29.

Extreme Cold Warning and Code Blue Activation

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning effective until 12:00 PM today, with wind chills expected to reach as low as -20 degrees in the St. Louis area. In response, the Department of Human Services has activated Code Blue Shelter Protocols at Level 4. This activation ensures that approximately 600 emergency shelter beds remain available day and night. Residents in need of warming centers or referral assistance for overnight emergency beds are encouraged to call 2-1-1 immediately.

Health Advisory: Frostbite and Seasonal Flu

The City Department of Health is urging residents to limit time outdoors to prevent frostbite and hypothermia, noting that skin can freeze in a matter of minutes under current conditions. Simultaneously, health officials continue to monitor a significant rise in seasonal flu cases across all age groups. Health Commissioner Victoria Anwuri is strongly recommending that all residents receive a flu vaccination if they have not yet done so, as regional infection rates have nearly doubled compared to the previous two seasons.