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Memphis

Memphis Purchased Equipment to Combat Winter Storms

The city approved $520,000 for new snowplow attachments to improve clearing capacity after recent winter shutdowns.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Severe Weather

Heavy-duty steel snowplow attachment on a concrete maintenance yard floor with a municipal utility truck in the background.
Memphis officials finalized the purchase of 14 new snowplow attachments this week to increase clearing capacity following the January 2026 winter storms. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Memphis has acquired 14 new snowplow attachments to bolster its winter road-clearing capabilities. This move aims to prevent a repeat of the city-wide operational paralysis experienced during the severe winter storm in January 2026.

Why it matters

The purchase addresses gaps in preparedness revealed by the January 2026 event, which caused significant city-wide closures and service suspensions. Officials aim to improve street clearance speeds across the city's 6,800 lane miles by upgrading existing vehicle capabilities.

During the January 2026 storm, which saw ice accumulation reach six inches, the city applied 46,400 gallons of brine and 2,562 tons of salt. Public works employees and contractors logged 4,521 total hours during that event.

The players

Scott Morgan

He is the director of public works in Memphis who oversees the city's infrastructure and emergency response operations.

The details

The new attachments are designed to connect directly to the city's 4x4 and dump trucks to increase snow removal versatility. Moving forward, the city will maintain a tiered strategy that prioritizes clearing primary routes linked to hospitals and interstates before secondary roads.

Timeline

  1. 1988: A record was set with five days of snow on the ground.

  2. December 2024: Scott Morgan was appointed director of public works.

  3. January 2026: A severe winter storm triggered city-wide shutdowns, closing schools for 10 days.

  4. February 6, 2026: The City Council Chairman issued a newsletter regarding service suspensions.

  5. July 1, 2026: The fiscal year 2027 budget, which funds the equipment, officially began.

Seasonal Patterns

The equipment purchase follows the service gaps exposed by the January 2026 Memphis winter storm, which serves as the primary benchmark for the city's new operational readiness plan. This transition toward improved mechanical capacity marks a departure from the reliance on existing fleets that were overwhelmed by the 2026 ice accumulation.

Residents should anticipate that primary roads and routes to hospitals will receive priority treatment during future winter events under the updated city plan. Official service updates regarding garbage collection and school closures will continue to be communicated through city channels during severe weather events.

The takeaway

The city is prioritizing mechanical upgrades to ensure that core transit routes remain accessible during extreme winter events. By investing in modular attachments for existing trucks, the administration aims to increase the efficiency of its response to future ice accumulation.

Further reading

For more information on local preparedness, visit the Severe Weather section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism.

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Should your local government increase spending on equipment for rare but severe winter weather events?