Massive Power Outages Across Massachusetts Coast After Blizzard

Over 78,000 customers without power as blizzard hammers the region

Feb. 23, 2026 at 1:20pm

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A powerful blizzard has caused widespread power outages across the Massachusetts coast, with over 78,000 customers reported to be without electricity. The hardest hit areas include Plymouth, Bourne, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wareham, Quincy, and Swampscott, with some entire towns like Hamilton completely dark. Boston has been spared so far, but officials warn the storm is still ongoing and urge residents to stay home and avoid the dangerous conditions.

Why it matters

Major winter storms can cause significant disruptions to power, transportation, and daily life for coastal communities in Massachusetts. Power outages can leave residents without heat, light, and access to essential services during the height of the storm, posing risks to public safety and well-being. The scale of the outages highlights the vulnerability of the region's infrastructure to extreme weather events.

The details

According to the MEMA map database, the list of power outages has surpassed 78,000, with the worst impacts seen along the coast and Cape Cod. Plymouth is the hardest hit area, with 9,625 customers without power. Several other towns, including Bourne, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wareham, Quincy, and Swampscott, all have over 3,000 customers in the dark. The entire town of Hamilton is also reportedly without power, with more than 3,000 outages.

  • The blizzard hit the Massachusetts coast on February 23, 2026.

The players

MEMA

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, which is tracking the power outages across the state.

Boston Public Works

The city's public works division, which is urging residents to stay home and avoid the dangerous conditions caused by the blizzard.

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What they’re saying

“High winds and heavy snow are causing whiteout conditions. Please stay home & avoid the roads. If travel is unavoidable, drive slowly & be aware of others walking or shoveling in our neighborhoods. Thank you for looking out for one another. Stay warm. Stay safe.”

— Boston Public Works (Twitter)

What’s next

Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid travel until the blizzard passes and power is restored to affected areas.

The takeaway

This blizzard has demonstrated the vulnerability of Massachusetts' coastal communities to extreme weather events, underscoring the need for continued investment in resilient infrastructure and emergency preparedness to protect residents during future storms.