Northeast Reels From Massive Snowstorm

Power outages, piles of snow continue to vex parts of the region days after historic blizzard

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 treacherous conditions. Tens of thousands remain without power, particularly in Massachusetts, and some schools have shifted to virtual learning as crews work around the clock to restore electricity and clear roads. The storm has created "thousands" of damage sites that require extensive cleanup efforts, with some areas seeing up to 3 additional inches of snow on Wednesday.

Why it matters

The historic snowfall has overwhelmed cities and towns across the Northeast, testing their emergency response capabilities and infrastructure. The prolonged power outages and hazardous conditions have disrupted daily life, forcing school closures and creating dangerous situations, as evidenced by a fatal carbon monoxide poisoning incident. The storm's aftermath highlights the region's vulnerability to extreme winter weather events and the need for improved preparedness and resilience.

The details

The massive storm dumped over 3 feet of snow in parts of the Northeast, surpassing the record set during the Blizzard of 1978 in Rhode Island. Utility crews have been working 18-hour shifts to restore power to the more than 138,000 customers still without electricity, primarily in Massachusetts and on Cape Cod. Crews have had to remove large snow piles with backhoes before they can access and repair damaged infrastructure. The storm also created treacherous conditions, with some areas seeing an additional 3 inches of snow on Wednesday, leading to slippery roads and walkways.

  • The storm hit the region on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Power outages have persisted for over 3 days since the storm hit.
  • An additional 3 inches of snow fell early on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Eversource

An electric utility company serving customers in Massachusetts.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has coordinated the city's snow removal efforts.

Joseph Boutrous

A 21-year-old Salve Regina University student who died from carbon monoxide poisoning after his car's exhaust pipe was obstructed by snow.

Tina Guenette

A resident of Harrisville, Rhode Island who uses a motorized wheelchair and had to shovel her own yard after the storm.

Ryan Maue

A meteorologist and former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who calculated the massive amount of water equivalent in the snowfall.

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What they’re saying

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

— Anny Enos, Resident of Barnstable, Massachusetts (ksgf.com)

“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 for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (ksgf.com)

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

— Tina Guenette, Resident of Harrisville, Rhode Island (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case of Joseph Boutrous' death will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the suspect out on bail.

The takeaway

This historic snowstorm has exposed the vulnerabilities of the Northeast's infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, highlighting the need for improved preparedness and resilience to extreme winter weather events. The prolonged power outages, hazardous conditions, and tragic loss of life underscore the importance of proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations and ensure the region is better equipped to handle such severe storms in the future.