Historic Blizzard Slams Northern Michigan, Cleanup Underway

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A historic blizzard has slammed Northern Michigan, dumping over 3 feet of snow in some areas and leaving many cities and towns closed as crews work to clear the roads. Municipal services, courthouses, and libraries are closed in several areas as the region shifts to clean-up mode. Power outages continue to be an issue, with over 100,000 homes and businesses still without electricity.

Why it matters

This blizzard is being described as one of the worst winter storms to hit Northern Michigan in decades, breaking snowfall records in some areas. The extreme weather has caused widespread disruptions, with many roads impassable and municipal services shut down. The cleanup efforts will be extensive, and the impacts on the region's infrastructure and economy could be significant.

The details

Cities across the blizzard area, including Alpena County, Escanaba, Marquette, Menominee, Petoskey, and Traverse City, continue to dig out from the storm. Authorities are urging residents to stay home as they work to plow the main routes, as many back roads likely won't be cleared for days. Power outages are also a major issue, with the hardest hit areas being Roscommon, Alcona, Alpena, and Ogemaw counties.

• The historic blizzard hit Northern Michigan on March 16-17, 2026.
• As of Monday, March 16, some areas were reporting more than 30 inches of snowfall during the first part of the storm.
• The storm was forecasted to dump more than 3 feet of snow across the blizzard zone, and up to 4 feet in an area west of Marquette.

What they’re saying

What’s next

As the cleanup continues, authorities will be working to clear the main roads and restore power to the affected areas. Some cities have delayed garbage pickup, and warming shelters remain open in certain locations.