Massive Snowstorm Leaves Northeast Reeling

Power outages, piles of snow create ongoing challenges in the aftermath of historic winter storm

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A massive snowstorm that dumped over 3 feet of snow in parts of the Northeast has left the region grappling with widespread power outages, towering snow piles, and ongoing transportation disruptions. Utility crews are working around the clock to restore electricity to over 138,000 customers, primarily in Massachusetts, while cities struggle to clear roads and sidewalks. The storm has also forced school closures and flight cancellations, with some areas still feeling the effects days later.

Why it matters

The historic snowfall has overwhelmed local resources and infrastructure, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events. The prolonged power outages and hazardous conditions pose risks to public safety and disrupt daily life, underscoring the need for improved disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

The details

The storm created "thousands" of damage sites that required utility crews to remove large snow piles with backhoes before repairing or replacing power lines and poles. In addition, up to 3 more inches of snow fell early Wednesday, exacerbating the treacherous conditions. Authorities reported at least one death due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and many residents remain stranded in their homes as streets and sidewalks remain unplowed. Cities are taking extraordinary measures to clear the snow, including hiring emergency shovelers and setting up melting basins for the massive piles of snow.

  • The massive snowstorm hit the Northeast on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Power outages and hazardous conditions have persisted for three straight days since the storm.
  • On Wednesday, February 26, 2026, over 138,000 customers remained without power, primarily in Massachusetts.

The players

Eversource

An electric and natural gas utility company serving customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has taken measures to address the snowstorm's aftermath, including hiring emergency shovelers.

Jeff Peters

A spokesman for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, who described the challenges faced by people with disabilities in navigating the snow-covered streets.

Tina Guenette

A resident of Harrisville, Rhode Island, who uses a motorized wheelchair and had to shovel her own yard due to a lack of volunteers in the town's snow-shoveling program.

Ryan Maue

A meteorologist and former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who provided calculations on the massive amount of snowfall and water content.

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What they’re saying

“I hate to say it but it doesn't seem like they were ready.”

— Anny Enos (Instagram)

“You'll find a portion of a sidewalk that is clear, and then there's maybe a 6-inch 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, Spokesman, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (theday.com)

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

— Tina Guenette (theday.com)

What’s next

Utility companies are working to restore power to the remaining customers, and cities are continuing their efforts to clear roads and sidewalks. Authorities are also investigating the carbon monoxide poisoning incident that resulted in a fatality.

The takeaway

The massive snowstorm has exposed the vulnerabilities of the Northeast's infrastructure and the need for improved disaster preparedness. The prolonged power outages, transportation disruptions, and hazardous conditions highlight the importance of investing in resilient systems and coordinating emergency response efforts to better protect communities from the impacts of extreme weather events.