Northeast Digs Out After Massive Snowstorm

New storm brings additional snow, complicating cleanup efforts

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A massive snowstorm that hit the Northeast earlier this week has left cities scrambling to clear towering snow piles, with some areas receiving over 3 feet of snow. While a new, lighter storm brought 1-3 inches of additional snow on Wednesday, the melting and refreezing has created treacherous black ice conditions. Power has been restored for many, but tens of thousands remain without electricity, and some sidewalks remain impassable, especially for those with disabilities. Schools have reopened in some areas, but others, like Providence, Rhode Island, remain closed as the cleanup continues.

Why it matters

The back-to-back snowstorms have overwhelmed many Northeast cities, straining resources and creating hazardous conditions for residents. The heavy snow has disrupted transportation, closed schools, and left some feeling 'marooned' due to impassable sidewalks. The situation highlights the challenges cities face in responding to extreme winter weather events, which are expected to become more frequent due to climate change.

The details

The latest storm dropped 1-3 inches of snow on Wednesday, much less than the previous storm that dumped over 3 feet of snow in some areas. However, the melting and refreezing has created patches of black ice, making roads slippery. Cities have been working overtime to clear the massive snow piles, with New York City using 143 million pounds of salt and hiring over 3,500 emergency shovelers. Power has been restored for many, but nearly 160,000 customers in Massachusetts remain without electricity. Tragically, a 21-year-old student in Rhode Island died of carbon monoxide poisoning after being found unconscious in a snow-covered vehicle.

  • The massive snowstorm hit the Northeast earlier this week.
  • On Wednesday, 1-3 inches of additional snow fell in the region.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has overseen the city's snow removal efforts, including spreading 143 million pounds of salt and hiring over 3,500 emergency shovelers.

Jeff Peters

A spokesperson for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, who has highlighted the challenges faced by those with disabilities due to impassable sidewalks.

Tina Guenette

A resident of Harrisville, Rhode Island who uses a motorized wheelchair and had to shovel her own yard after the storm, as the town's volunteer snow-shoveling program has not had volunteers for years.

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What they’re saying

“You'll find a portion of a sidewalk that is clear, and then there's maybe a 6-inch (15-centimeter) pathway that can only be walked with one foot in front of the other and no room for a stroller, rollator, walker or crutches. Then you get to the corner and not only is it unshoveled, but you have basically a glacier at the end of it.”

— Jeff Peters, Spokesperson, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (louisianafirstnews.com)

“I really have no choice if my service dog wants to go outside.”

— Tina Guenette (louisianafirstnews.com)

What’s next

In Providence, Rhode Island, the city is taking snow to five locations, but additional dumping grounds may be needed to handle the massive amounts of snow. Schools in Providence remain closed for a third day as the district moves to virtual learning, while other large school districts like Philadelphia and Boston have reopened.

The takeaway

The back-to-back snowstorms have overwhelmed Northeast cities, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and emergency planning to handle extreme winter weather events. The situation has disproportionately impacted those with disabilities, underscoring the importance of accessibility and inclusive disaster response efforts.