Lansing issues snow emergency, government offices close due to heavy snow, bitter cold

Kara Berg
Lansing State Journal

LANSING — Officials for the cities of Lansing and East Lansing and Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Ionia counties have called off normal government operations for Wednesday because of bad weather.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor reinstated travel restrictions for the city starting at 12 a.m. Wednesday. All city facilities will be closed during the day for the snow emergency. 

All non-essential commercial, private and public travel on city roads is prohibited during a snow emergency. Weather is expected to be bitterly cold Wednesday, with wind chills as low as minus 45 degrees from Tuesday night through Thursday morning. 

In addition, all on-street parking is prohibited to ensure safety and efficiency during snow clearing operations.

State government offices are also closed, and non-essential personnel were asked not to report to work.

All courts and government operations in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties are closed on Wednesday because of the weather, officials said. Ionia County government buildings also are closed.

Closures include: 

  • 30th Circuit Judicial Court
  • 54A Lansing District Court
  • 54B East Lansing District Court 
  • 55th District Court
  • Lansing City Hall
  • Ingham County Probate Court
  • Michigan State University 
  • Lansing Community College
  • The Lansing State Journal offices
  • East Lansing city offices
  • East Lansing Hannah Community Center
  • Lansing Social Security office
  • All Capital Area District Library branches
  • Williamston Towns
  • Lansing Board of Water and Light offices

Michigan State University canceled classes for Wednesday. The university initially said faculty and staff should report as usual, but later modified that directive to say only "critical employees" should report to work.

LAFCU credit union offices will also be closed Wednesday. 

All visiting hours at Michigan Department of Corrections facilities have been canceled for Wednesday due to the cold temperatures. 

On Monday, state offices in Michigan's Lower Peninsula closed amid the snowstorm, but only after most employees had already made their morning commutes. They returned to their desks Tuesday, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said they should expect to be back at work Wednesday, as well. 

Whitmer declared a State of Emergency Monday evening to encourage Michigan residents to take cold weather warnings seriously. 

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Read more: It's cold, and Michigan is in a state of emergency. What does that mean?
Read more: From bad to worse: Arctic cold, fierce winds, more snow on the way, forecasters say
Read more: Michigan State cancels classes for seventh time in its history
Read more: Black ice starting to form in Lansing region as road salt loses effectiveness in bitter cold
Read more: If you think it's cold this week, it's nothing compared to past years in Michigan

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Contact Kara Berg at 517-377-1113 or kberg@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @karaberg95.