New Jersey Weathers Massive Blizzard Without Major Incident

The Garden State saw record snowfall, but emergency plans and community efforts kept disruption to a minimum.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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New Jersey was hit by a historic blizzard this week, with some areas receiving over 30 inches of snow. Despite the massive snowfall, the state largely weathered the storm without major incident, thanks to effective emergency planning and the efforts of community volunteers to assist vulnerable residents.

Why it matters

The blizzard highlights New Jersey's ability to respond effectively to extreme weather events, which are expected to become more frequent due to climate change. It also underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and community support, especially for the state's most vulnerable populations.

The details

The blizzard, which began on Sunday and continued into Monday, broke snowfall records in several parts of the state, including a 30.7-inch accumulation in Lyndhurst that surpassed a 1947 record. Despite the massive snowfall, state and local governments implemented their emergency plans, with Gov. Mikie Sherrill declaring a state of emergency and NJ Transit suspending service temporarily before resuming operations. While hundreds of thousands of residents experienced power outages, emergency crews worked to restore service. Schools were also closed for a day or more, and clearing the snow will take several more days.

  • The blizzard began on Sunday, February 22, 2026 and continued into Monday, February 23.
  • The state of emergency was declared on Sunday, February 22 and lifted by late morning on Tuesday, February 24.
  • NJ Transit bus and rail service was suspended at the height of the storm but resumed with relative normalcy on Tuesday, February 24.

The players

Gov. Mikie Sherrill

The governor of New Jersey who declared a state of emergency in response to the blizzard.

Emily Rolon

A volunteer with Ruby's Vision, an advocacy and outreach organization that provides services to the homeless, who helped transport unhoused people in Paterson to warming shelters during the storm.

James Brown

A volunteer with Ruby's Vision who did much of the driving to transport unhoused people in Paterson to warming shelters during the storm.

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What they’re saying

“We were slipping and sliding the whole way. I was praying, I was so scared.”

— James Brown, Volunteer, Ruby's Vision (Paterson Press)

“These people matter. If we save one life, we're making a difference.”

— Emily Rolon, Volunteer, Ruby's Vision (Paterson Press)

What’s next

Weather forecasters are predicting more snow could be on the way as soon as next week, so New Jersey residents will need to remain vigilant and prepared for potential additional winter storms.

The takeaway

New Jersey's effective emergency response and community support efforts during this historic blizzard demonstrate the state's resilience in the face of extreme weather events, which are likely to become more common due to climate change. This event highlights the importance of proactive planning and the role that everyday citizens can play in protecting vulnerable populations.