Brockton Struggles to Clear Roads After Blizzard Dumps 31 Inches of Snow

Fire chief urges drivers to stay off roads as city works to clear snow and free stuck vehicles.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Brockton area south of Boston was hit hard by a major blizzard that dumped 31 inches of snow on Monday, leaving the city's roads in gridlock as plows struggle to clear the snow with vehicles still blocking their path. The fire chief is urging drivers to stay off the roads to allow public works crews to do their job.

Why it matters

Heavy snowfall and impassable roads can create dangerous conditions, disrupt emergency services, and hamper recovery efforts. Brockton is facing challenges common to many Northeast cities after major winter storms, underscoring the need for effective snow removal plans and public cooperation.

The details

Traffic was at a standstill in parts of Brockton on Tuesday, with sidewalks buried and pedestrians forced to walk in the snow-covered streets. Police worked to free stuck vehicles, while some drivers reported having difficulty navigating the treacherous conditions. The fire chief said public works crews have been working around the clock, but their efforts have been hindered by the number of unnecessary vehicles still on the roads.

  • The Blizzard of 2026 hit Brockton on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Brockton Public Schools are closed on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Brian Nardelli

The fire chief of the Brockton Fire Department.

Dan Bettencourt

A Brockton resident who described the road conditions as "bad" and said smaller vehicles were getting stuck.

Shane Owens

The owner of a barbershop on Main Street in Brockton who was shoveling out parking spaces to prepare for reopening.

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What they’re saying

“They are bad. They are just starting to clear up now, but they have been bad all day.”

— Dan Bettencourt (cbsnews.com)

“I am 44 years old, and I have never seen this before in my life. They canceled school three days straight. We might have gotten one day when I was a kid. This is just absurd. I saw one plow on my way here.”

— Shane Owens, Barbershop owner (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The fire chief said public works crews will continue their around-the-clock efforts to clear the roads, but they need drivers to stay off the streets to allow them to do their job effectively.

The takeaway

This blizzard has exposed the challenges cities like Brockton face in keeping roads clear and passable during major winter storms. Effective snow removal requires both the hard work of public crews and the cooperation of residents, underscoring the need for comprehensive emergency preparedness plans and public education.