New York City and much of the US Northeast braced for the most powerful nor’easter in nearly a decade as a historic winter storm swept across the region on February 22, 2026. With over 54 million people under blizzard warnings, the city’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, declared a state of emergency, imposing a sweeping travel ban and mobilizing agencies for an all-hands-on-deck response.
At a midday press conference, Mayor Mamdani announced, “This will be New York City’s first old-school snow day since 2019,” much to the delight of public school children who learned they’d have the day off. But the mood across the city was a mix of excitement and anxiety, as officials warned of severe disruptions and urged residents to stay inside and stay safe.
The travel ban, effective from 9 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday, closed city streets to all non-essential vehicular traffic. Only emergency vehicles, public transit, food and medical deliveries, utility repair crews, and essential worker transportation were exempt. “Cook for yourself and don’t order food for deliveries that will endanger workers,” the mayor implored, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
According to the BBC, this is the first blizzard warning for New York City in nine years, with meteorologists predicting 18 to 24 inches of snow—possibly up to 28 inches in some neighborhoods. Temperatures were forecast to plummet to around -6°C (20°F), while wind gusts along the coast could reach up to 112 kilometers per hour (70 miles per hour), raising the risk of downed tree limbs and widespread power outages.
“This will be something the likes of which we’ve not seen in years,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, after declaring a state of emergency for the entire state and activating 100 members of the National Guard. She warned, “People will be in the dark. Long Island and New York City and lower Hudson are literally in the direct eye of the storm.”
The impact of the storm extended well beyond New York. States of emergency were declared in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, with similar travel restrictions and school closures. Boston closed its schools, while Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont halted all commercial vehicles from highways. In New Jersey, Governor Mikie Sherrill described it as “the worst storm we have seen since 1996,” suspending all bus, light rail, and Access Link services from Sunday evening. Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro signed a disaster declaration, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to heed local officials’ warnings. Even as far north as Nova Scotia, Canada, communities prepared for the storm’s effects, with weather warnings in place from Monday morning.
In New York City, the mayor’s emergency declaration triggered a cascade of operational changes across city services. The Department of Sanitation deployed 2,600 workers on 12-hour shifts, with 700 salt spreaders and thousands of plows at the ready. “Staying off the roads tonight will allow New York’s Strongest to work safer and faster in these extremely challenging conditions,” officials urged, reminding residents to clear a four-foot path on sidewalks for wheelchairs and strollers once the snow stopped falling. Trash and recycling collection would be delayed, with Monday’s recycling postponed to the following week.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) ramped up staffing starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, deploying extra firefighters, high-axle vehicles, rapid response units, and equipping ambulances with chains. Trainings were canceled, and all available personnel were shifted to emergency response. The NYPD activated its tow truck task force and high-water rescue teams, while Highway Patrol units escorted sanitation vehicles to help salt and plow streets. Moderate coastal flooding was anticipated, prompting additional precautions.
Public transit was not immune to the storm’s wrath. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) initially hoped to maintain service, but as conditions deteriorated, the Long Island Rail Road announced it would halt service at 1 a.m. Monday, resuming only when weather permitted. Bus routes would be adjusted based on road conditions, and longer accordion-style buses were swapped for standard 40-foot models with chains. Subway crews worked round the clock to clear snow from platforms, stairs, and entrances, while scheduled track work was suspended. The Staten Island Ferry switched to an hourly schedule at midnight, and Citi Bike service was set to stop at 8 p.m. Scooter share services were halted at 6 a.m., and NYC Ferry warned of possible early closures and late starts.
For those seeking warmth and shelter, the city opened 22 warming buses, 13 school warming centers, and 11 hospital facilities. In advance of the storm, 86 homeless individuals were provided shelter. Libraries across all five boroughs closed their doors, though e-books and remote resources remained available online.
Con Edison, the city’s main utility provider, deployed additional crews beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday to respond to outages, particularly as the combination of road salt and melting snow threatened underground systems. The company urged residents to stay clear of downed wires and report them immediately, offering multiple channels for outage updates and emergency contact.
Meanwhile, city agencies like the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection were tasked with monitoring price gouging, while Housing Preservation and Development teams worked overtime to address heating and hot water complaints in residential buildings. The Department of Buildings dispatched inspectors to monitor construction sites for safety, ready to issue violations and Stop Work Orders if necessary. The New York City Housing Authority had generators on standby, and residents were reminded to use the MyNYCHA app or call the contact center for non-emergency assistance.
Despite the citywide shutdown, some events found a way to persevere. The New York City Pride Hockey Association’s championship game between the Hotshots and the Fiesta Penguins at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers pressed on, with travel to the game deemed essential by city officials. For a few hardy fans and players, the puck would still drop at 5:30 p.m., blizzard or not.
Across the region, the storm’s effects were immediate and far-reaching. According to BBC, more than 3,500 flights were canceled on Sunday, with hundreds more delayed. The National Weather Service’s Cody Snell told CBS News, “While we do get plenty of these nor’easters that produce heavy snow and strong impacts, it’s been several years since we saw one of this magnitude across this large of a region in this very populated part of the country.”
As the snow piled up and winds howled, New Yorkers and millions across the Northeast hunkered down, hoping the city’s preparations—and a little neighborly patience—would see them through one of the most memorable storms in recent memory.