NYC Mayor Orders Travel Ban as Blizzard Approaches

City braces for first major snowstorm in over a decade

Feb. 22, 2026 at 7:52pm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared a state of emergency and ordered a travel ban as the region prepares for a dangerous blizzard that could dump up to 24 inches of snow and bring wind gusts up to 60 mph. The mayor said the safety of New Yorkers is the top priority as the city mobilizes resources to respond to the storm.

Why it matters

This blizzard is expected to be the worst winter storm to hit New York City in over a decade, posing significant risks to public safety and transportation. The travel ban and emergency declaration aim to protect residents and ensure emergency services can respond effectively.

The details

The travel ban will be in effect from 9 PM Sunday to 12 PM Monday, closing streets, highways, bridges and tunnels to regular traffic. Most subway lines will continue operating, but Long Island Rail Road service will shut down Sunday evening. New York City schools will also be closed on Monday.

  • The travel ban will be in effect from 9 PM Sunday to 12 PM Monday (February 23, 2026).
  • A blizzard warning from the National Weather Service remains in effect until 6 PM Monday (February 23, 2026).

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who declared a state of emergency and ordered the travel ban in response to the approaching blizzard.

Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York who also declared a state of emergency for multiple counties in preparation for the storm.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued the blizzard warning for the New York City region.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The agency that oversees public transportation in New York City, including the subway and Long Island Rail Road.

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What they’re saying

“The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority. As this blizzard moves in, our administration is mobilizing every tool at our disposal, around the clock, to keep our neighbors safe.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (yahoo.com)

“It's time to brace for impact New Yorkers. This is a dangerous, fast-moving, potentially life threatening winter storm.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This blizzard highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for coordinated response efforts between local and state governments to protect public safety during extreme weather events.