A powerful late-season blizzard swept through Sheboygan Sunday into Monday, forcing many businesses to close and leaving residents to dig out from several inches of snow in heavy winds.

Tessa Bevans spent much of the day clearing her sidewalk, starting early and making multiple trips outside.

Ive been out here four separate times since 7 a.m., Bevans said. The more I do it, the easier the next time its gonna be. My arms are fine its my back.

Watch: Blizzard slams Sheboygan; warming center offers shelter to dozens

Bevans, a lifelong resident and general manager at a local Culvers, said her workplace closed for safety. I didnt think we were going to get this much, she said. Always make sure you have enough groceries for days like this.

While Bevans worked to keep her sidewalk clear, others sought shelter from the storm.

The Sheboygan County Warming Center, housed inside St. Luke United Methodist Church, remained open for anyone needing warmth, food and a safe place to stay.

Executive Director Liz Kroll said they expected to reach capacity Monday night accommodating about 68 people as freezing temperatures were forecast to continue into Tuesday.

We know theres a need out there, Kroll said. People are homeless, theyre experiencing this in their lives, and we want to make sure nobody is cold, nobodys freezing, and theyre all fed.

Among those taking shelter was Frank Meeks, who said the center provided a vital lifeline. It makes me feel great. I dont have to stay out in the cold, he said.

Martonez Wallace echoed that sentiment after spending the night at the center. It felt good got to rest my back, rest my swelling feet, he said. Being on the street right now? Couldnt do it in the snow, the blizzard.

The warming center and Community Caf will remain open through Tuesday, with entry at 623 Ontario Ave. Guests can call the number posted on the church door if its locked.

Other resources have also stepped up during the storm: The Salvation Army Sheboygan has kept showers and coffee available, and the Mead Public Library operated on limited hours before closing early.

With more cold on the way, Bevans advice for fellow residents was simple: Just stay home if you can. The more you do it, the easier it is the next time.

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The Town of Sheboygan declared a Snow Emergency to be in effect immediately on Sunday and will be lifted Monday evening at 6 p.m., the Town announced on Saturday morning.

During a Snow Emergency for the Town of Sheboygan, it is prohibited to park on any pubic roadway and residents are reminded to move any vehicles to driveways or garages for the duration of the emergency. This is to ensure that Public Works personnel can clear snow and allow movement for any Emergency Vehicles.

According to the Town's statement, plowing operations will continue on open roadways, public facilities, and schools and advises residents to not travel during any stormy conditions if it is not essential.

They also advise residents to monitor essential Emergency Public Information or School Closings by listening to the radio or reading newspapers and they are also urged to stay updated of any changing conditions.

Residents are also reminded to not call police, fire, or 911 for any storm information.

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Fierce gusts swept into Sheboygan Friday, causing damage to buildings and prompting road closures as city officials brace for a late-season winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, ice, and rain over the weekend.

Off 8th Street, part of a roof above condos and a law office hung precariously after the winds rolled through. Debris scattered throughout the area forcing road closures.

The Sheboygan Fire Department, working with the Police Department and Department of Public Works, responded to the area just after 1 p.m. Friday for a report of bricks falling from the building.

Crews found that high winds had caused a portion of the roof on the west side of the building to detach and hang from the structure. The building was evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Watch: Sheboygan residents, snow crews brace for storm as winds already causing damage

Due to the potential hazard from falling debris, officials temporarily closed the roundabout at South 8th Street and Indiana Avenue. The closure is expected to last for the remainder of the evening Friday.

Vehicles are currently being directed to South Pier Drive, with signage posted along South 7th Street to assist motorists traveling to and from the South Pier Drive area.

It's just the start of a potentially rollercoaster weather weekend with forecasts calling for a foot or more of snow in some areas of Sheboygan County.

For lifelong Sheboygan resident Tim Fjeldstad, the intense wind felt unusual. I feel like Im not in Kansas anymore, he said as the wind picked up during the interview.

Im not going anywhere this weekend. I already rescheduled my doctors appointment for Monday and plan to go out for milk, baloney, and bread thats your typical Wisconsin grocery list before a big storm. Fjeldstad joked that basketball games on TV, including the Badgers in the Big Ten tournament, would help keep him inside once the snow starts falling.

Fjeldstad urged neighbors to be cautious. Be safe, dont be in such a hurry. Even right now, with a big gust of wind, if youre with an older person, hang onto them. Make sure your driveways and sidewalks are clear, not just for yourself but for anyone who might walk by. Watch out for other people and be careful thats the Wisconsin way.

He noted that when he called to reschedule his appointment, the receptionist told him many others in Sheboygan had canceled plans in anticipation of the weather.

The storm also means long hours for snow removal crews. Randi and Jared Kielbasa, owners of Finish Line Seasonal Services, handle residential and some commercial plowing in Sheboygan and nearby Manitowoc.

Just days ago, they thought winter was winding down. Earlier this week, with how nice it was, I was almost ready to start putting everything away and get out summer equipment, Jared said. But once I started seeing this forecast, I started really paying attention. Weve had late-season storms before, and Id rather be ready for it.

The Kielbasas will begin pre-treating with salt to prevent ice from bonding to surfaces. We generally go for ice first because its unpredictable, Jared explained. You can go to one parking lot, and its fine, then the next one is frozen solid. Getting salt down builds a foundation, then we can come in and clear everything so people arent slipping and falling.

They said heavy, wet snow is tougher on both equipment and crews. If we get a foot and its heavy, its going to be hard on the equipment, hard on us, and were going to push through it. We just want to get it all done as safely and efficiently as we can and then probably sleep a couple days after, Jared said with a laugh.

Safety remains their priority during storm operations. First and foremost, we want to keep businesses and homeowners safe making sure people with high-priority jobs can get in and out, Jared said. We have backup equipment ready, and our crews know to check in often. Its a balancing act battling the elements while keeping everyone safe.

The City of Sheboygan has declared a Snow Emergency beginning Sunday, March 15, at 6 a.m. The declaration activates strict parking rules.

Maps, guidelines, and updates are available on the City of Sheboygans website and through the Snow Information Line at 920-459-3460.

With winds already damaging property and snow yet to arrive, Sheboygan is bracing for a weekend of winter cleanup. Fjeldstad summed up the mood: Weve lived here all our lives, were used to this. People will take it in stride like always, but just be safe, be smart, and look out for each other.

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The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office says there are no injuries, but a barn on County Highway Y is a total loss after a fire on Saturday.

According to a release from the sheriff's office, Sheboygan County Emergency Communications got multiple 911 calls around 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 28 to report a barn fire at N7965 County Road Y in the Town of Mosel.

Callers reported that the barn was fully engulfed before Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office deputies could get to the scene.

The release says that due to the severity of the fire, the barn and the farm equipment inside of it are a total loss.

There were also three vehicles parked near the barn that sustained burn damage as a result, but nobody was inside the barn during the fire and no injuries were reported.

The sheriff's office says it is still investigating the cause of the fire.

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After 18 months without a permanent home, Sheboygan Visual Artists is opening a new gallery space in the South Pier neighborhood on March 7.

The nonprofit, which has been around since 2007, is made up of 80 members and is focused on connecting the community through visual arts. The South Pier location was chosen in part because of the foot traffic the area draws, particularly in the summer.

The new space includes about 5 artist studios available for rent. When the public visits the gallery, they can also watch artists at work inside those studios.

WATCH: Sheboygan community art gallery opens new space showcasing local artists and outreach programs

One of those artists is Carla Lewis, who creates art using old window frames from homes that are around 130 years old. Lewis also works with local students as part of her involvement with the gallery. Fourth graders at Sheridan School each created a tile, which Lewis incorporated into a larger piece of art. The project repeats throughout the school year, with new students contributing to a new piece each time the gallery has an opening.

The organization also gives back to the community through scholarships and outreach. SVA awards two $1,500 scholarships to high school students heading to college. Its Kaleidoscope program brings art workshops to students at the Sheboygan County Juvenile Detention Center.

Also on display at the new gallery is the work of SVA's own Vic Valdez whose artistic journey took an unexpected turn during the pandemic. Though his original degree was in watercolors, he began experimenting with recycled cardboard after noticing it being thrown out.

"I said to my wife, I wonder if I can paint a painting in cardboard," Vic said.

That work recently caught the attention of Gov. Tony Evers, who spotted it at Word Haven, a Sheboygan bookstore, during a tour of the city.

"He went into a bookstore here, Word Haven, saw my work, got in touch with me, showed him some work, and I was able to bring it in and hang it in the mansion," Vic said.

The March 7 grand opening is open to the public.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.