Snow is a normal part of winter in Washington DC. You can enjoy the snow falling and turning yards and streets into a winter wonderland. But what happens if there is too much snow?
That’s exactly what happened in the last week of January 2026 when a winter storm dropped snow and sleet on the US capital, reported The Washington Post. The worst feature of the storm was historic levels of sleet falling at extremely low temperatures. The combination led to six to nine inches of densely packed snow stranding many people in their homes. At least until the DC Snow Team Heroes stepped up to help.
Digging Out From the Storm
Days after the snowstorm hit, many neighborhood’s streets were still unplowed and sidewalks were not shoveled, leaving many people unable to leave their homes, reported DCNews. One resident, Shirley Thomas, was stuck inside.
“This is the first time that it’s ever snowed, and management has not shoveled the sidewalks. As much of the sidewalks, and that’s kind of upsetting because I walk with crutches, so it’s difficult to get around the ice with crutches,” Thomas told DCNews.
The thick ice and driveway that had not been shoveled made it unsafe for her to leave, until a DC Snow Team hero, Greg Jackson, stepped up to help. He’s been helping neighbors for almost a decade. He said that helping neighbors, especially the elderly, is what motivates him to keep volunteering.
“Especially our older folks who need to get to essential health care, or young folks. They still have to find a way to school and to other safe spaces outside of the home,” Jackson said.
Continuing to Clean Out
According to the city, major roadways are plowed first, followed by neighborhood streets. Sidewalks and driveways are the responsibility of home and business owners.
Without help, many seniors and disabled people would not be able to leave their homes to go to essential appointments or to get food. That’s why city officials say that the efforts from the Snow Team and other volunteers are so important.
“It is outstanding. … This is really neighbors helping your neighbors showing the kind of community and love that the mayor thrives off that we are building, and making sure that we sustain a district,” said Lamont Carey, Director of Community Affairs for the Mayor’s Office.
Steve Walker, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Muriel Bowser, told WTOP News that the city deployed over 500 heroes during the storm.
“We have people who are both dedicated to our community, to their neighbors,” Walker said. “Because it’s a neighbor-by-neighbor project, we try to match people with homes in their neighborhood relatively close that they can walk to.” That’s what neighbors helping neighbors is all about.
