As a powerful nor'easter swept across Massachusetts and much of New England this week, hundreds of thousands of residents found themselves plunged into darkness, bracing against howling winds, heavy snow, and the daunting prospect of days without electricity. Utility companies, forewarned by weather forecasts that predicted up to two feet of snow and wind gusts reaching a staggering 75 miles per hour, scrambled to mount one of their largest storm responses in recent memory.
According to Boston 25 News, both National Grid and Eversource, the region’s primary electric utilities, began preparing days in advance. Chris Laird, spokesperson and Chief Operating Officer for National Grid New England Electric, explained, “We have all of our teams, all hands on deck, ready to respond to this weather event. That’s a mix of company crews, contractors that work on our system every day, and external contractors that have joined us for this event. They’re here already, they’re staged, ready to go.” The company pre-staged 400 line crews in high-impact regions, including Southeastern Massachusetts, coastal communities, and the Cape and Islands, anticipating that these areas would be hardest hit.
Meanwhile, Eversource sent out warnings to customers, urging them to charge their devices, prepare for potential multi-day outages, and stay far away from any downed wires. “We’re expecting hazardous travel, poor visibility, and of course, heavy snow combined with strong winds,” an Eversource spokesperson told Boston 25 News. The company estimated that 5% to 10% of its customer base could lose power at some point during the storm, and in the hardest-hit areas, restoration could take three to five days.
WWLP-22News reported that National Grid’s emergency response included not only overhead and underground line workers, but also tree trimming crews and substation workers. These teams were poised to address damage caused by heavy snow, which can sag power lines and snap tree limbs. The safety of both customers and crews remained the top priority, with Laird emphasizing that technicians would only begin work when conditions were safe. “If you don’t need to be on the roads, please stay safe and stay home. If you do need to be on the roads, please ‘slow down and go around’ to give our crews extra room to work safely. Our crews and support teams will be working for as long as needed to restore service as quickly and safely as conditions allow,” he said.
But even with this formidable preparation, the storm’s ferocity presented unique challenges. As WCVB Channel 5 noted, utility workers operating bucket trucks can only do so when winds are below 35 miles an hour. Christopher Laird underscored this concern: “The higher winds are what really concern us here. We’re expecting those to pick up sometime around 4 a.m. Could see winds in the 75 mph for peak gusts.” With such conditions, not only was restoring power dangerous, but even assessing the damage could be delayed. Eversource warned in an email to customers that outages could last as long as five days, especially where high winds made it impossible for crews to work safely.
As the blizzard intensified, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency stepped in with additional tools for residents, including a real-time map of power outages by town. This allowed communities to track the storm’s impact and the slow march of restoration efforts. For those without power, the message was clear: don’t assume your outage has been reported. Customers were repeatedly urged to notify their utility provider through websites, mobile apps, or dedicated phone lines. Eversource customers could report at Eversource.com or by calling 800-592-2000 in Eastern Massachusetts and 877-659-6326 in Western Massachusetts. National Grid customers were directed to www.nationalgridus.com or 1-800-465-1212.
Safety remained a central theme throughout the storm’s onslaught. National Grid, as reported by WWLP-22News, issued a series of vital reminders: never touch downed power lines, always assume any fallen line is live, and keep at least 30 feet away (about two full pole spans). The company also cautioned residents not to attempt to clear debris or move downed lines, and to avoid water near downed wires, which can conduct electricity. Importantly, if anyone saw a downed wire, they were told to call 911 and their utility immediately.
Beyond the immediate risk of electrocution, there were other hazards. Residents were reminded to keep all vents clear of snow, test smoke and CO2 detectors, and avoid using candles, which pose a fire hazard. Instead, flashlights were recommended. With travel conditions treacherous, checking on vulnerable neighbors, such as the elderly or those requiring medical devices, became a community priority.
Despite the grim forecasts and the reality of widespread outages, utility companies emphasized their commitment to restoring service as quickly and safely as possible. Olessa Stepanova, a spokesperson for Eversource, acknowledged the frustration many would feel, especially as crews sometimes had to reroute power remotely when physical access wasn’t possible. “A lot of times our crews are able to reroute power remotely if they can’t access certain areas, if the winds don’t allow them to go up in bucket trucks and things like that. So we do have other ways of restoring power. You may not see crews out there, but that doesn’t mean they’re not actively working to restore,” she said to Boston 25 News, urging patience.
And patience was certainly required. As Monday wore on, hundreds of thousands remained without power, and the full extent of the storm’s damage became increasingly clear. The combination of heavy, wet snow and relentless wind toppled trees and power lines across the region. Even as the snow began to ease, the restoration effort was only just beginning. National Grid and Eversource both pledged to keep crews in the field for as long as it took, with National Grid stating it would continue to assess resource needs as the weather evolved.
For many, the blizzard of February 2026 will be remembered not just for its ferocity, but for the resilience of the communities and the determination of the crews battling the elements. As National Grid’s Chris Laird put it, “They’re going to be out moving and doing the best they can.” For now, New Englanders wait, huddled against the cold, for the lights to come back on.