February 23, 2026 — New York City A powerful nor’easter and bomb cyclone named “Hernando” battered the Northeast U.S. from Maryland to Maine starting late February 22, triggering blizzard warnings for over 40 million people, with 1 to 2 feet of snow, wind gusts up to 80 mph, power outages affecting more than 600,000 customers, travel bans, and thousands of flight cancellations.
New York City recorded 16-19 inches of snow, including over 24 inches in eastern Staten Island and more than 15 inches in Central Park, while Philadelphia saw 13.7 inches and parts of New Jersey and Long Island up to 2 feet, per NBC News live updates. Boston faced potential for over 2 feet in southern New England, according to the Boston Globe.
Video shows whiteout conditions and heavy accumulation on FDR Drive amid the storm (source).
Power outages impacted nearly 300,000 customers in Massachusetts and 135,000 in New Jersey, with totals exceeding 600,000 across the region. New Jersey State Police enforced mandatory travel restrictions, later extended until noon, as reported by FOX 5 NY.
New York City’s travel ban was lifted at noon but a hazardous travel advisory remains until midnight, with the blizzard warning until 6 p.m. Massachusetts imposed a nonessential ground travel ban on its south coast, while Connecticut’s commercial travel ban and state of emergency continue until at least noon February 24. Over 5,300 flights were canceled nationwide, including more than 2,500 in the New York area.
“This is a serious storm, and there are dangerous road conditions out there, especially on the South Coast. We have reports of abandoned and stuck cars on the roads, and tow trucks are having difficulty getting to them.”
— Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey
“Though the travel ban has lifted, conditions on the road are still icy and dangerous, and we encourage New Yorkers to take public transportation if needed, stay indoors when possible and stay informed through Notify NYC.”
— New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Connecticut state police handled over 250 motor vehicle assists and 82 accidents, two involving minor injuries. No deaths were reported in New York City streets. A New York DOT plow truck overturned in Bay Shore, prompting a diesel spill cleanup.
Schools closed across the region, and states of emergency were declared amid whiteouts and coastal flooding. For ongoing coverage, see CNN live news, NYT snowfall maps, and ABC News updates.
