Salt shortage affecting several Northeast Ohio communities

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Several Northeast Ohio communities have announced they are dealing with a salt shortage and a major winter storm is heading our way.

LATEST FORECAST: 19 FIRST ALERT DAYS: Dangerous cold Friday and Saturday, winter storm Sunday

In Cleveland, city officials said they have less than 10,000 tons of salt remaining.

The city will continue to plow throughout Cleveland, but only priority routes will receive salt.

“Main roads, that’s your dangerous intersections, or schools, and that’s your hospitals,” said Tyler Sinclair, a city spokesperson.

Cleveland uses between 4,000 and 7,000 tons of salt per winter storm event, meaning current supplies could be exhausted within days.

City officials are placing blame squarely on their supplier, Cargill, saying deliveries have been delayed and the city is not receiving the full amounts ordered. The orders in question were placed back in August—six months ago.

In Avon, city officials said they have been conserving salt for several weeks and will continue to do so.

Roads will still be plowed in Avon, but salt use will be limited and prioritized for main roads, hills, and curvs.

Side streets may receive little or no salt.

Avon city officials added their next salt delivery from Cargill is expected in February.

In North Royalton, city officials said they ordered 1,000 tons of salt from Cargill on Jan. 15 and only received 300 tons.

City officials added they have 400 tons in reserves in their barn and an average three-day snow event can consume 1,500 tons.

Streets will be plowed, but salt rationed, said North Royalton city officials.

Independence city officials are advising drivers to be careful on streets and in parking lots, since crews may not be able to apply salt after plowing due to a shortage.

19 News will continue pressing Cargill for answers.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.