Northeast US Hit by Historic Blizzard: Power Outages, Travel Chaos & School Closures

The northeastern United States continues to grapple with the aftermath of an exceptional winter storm that struck the region beginning Sunday, with over 300,000 homes and businesses still without power as of Tuesday and numerous schools remaining closed. The storm brought record snowfall to many areas, disrupting transportation and daily life across multiple states.

More than 60 centimeters of snowfall accumulated across a large portion of the region between Sunday evening and Monday evening. Coastal areas south of Boston, in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, were particularly hard hit, with some locations receiving over 90 centimeters of snow, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. Travel restrictions remain in effect for non-essential vehicles in parts of New England, and schools in those areas are closed on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday morning, approximately 240,000 homes in Massachusetts, 36,000 in New Jersey, and 20,000 in Delaware were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.com. At the peak of the storm on Monday, the number of affected properties reached 650,000, coinciding with wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometers per hour.

Air travel remains significantly disrupted. Approximately 2,000 U.S. Flights were canceled on Tuesday, with the majority of cancellations centered at Boston Logan International Airport and airports serving the New York metropolitan area. Over 9,000 flights had already been canceled across Sunday and Monday.

Public transportation systems are also experiencing disruptions, with some rail lines suspended and others rerouted, particularly in New Jersey and New York State.

Boston Globe Halts Publication

In an unprecedented move, the Boston Globe did not publish its daily edition on Tuesday. The newspaper cited conditions that “made it impossible to print and deliver the paper,” according to a statement published on its website. This marks the first time in the newspaper’s 153-year history that it has suspended print delivery.

In New York City, where snow began to melt rapidly on Monday with rising temperatures, schools reopened after an exceptional closure. Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated a call for volunteers to assist with snow removal, offering a rate of $30 per hour. More than 1,000 volunteers have already been engaged in the effort.

Acknowledging the dangers posed by extreme winter weather, Mayor Mamdani reminded residents that emergency shelters are open throughout the city. Approximately 250 individuals experiencing homelessness have been placed in shelters since Saturday, according to a statement released by the mayor’s office. The region experienced a previous cold wave earlier this winter that resulted in approximately 20 fatalities.

While the heaviest snowfall has subsided, additional snow showers are forecast for the northeastern United States overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, though in significantly lesser amounts.

The scale of the storm prompted states of emergency declarations across multiple states, including New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, leading to commercial vehicle bans and travel restrictions. The National Weather Service warned of “nearly impossible” travel conditions and “extremely treacherous” roadways.

The storm’s impact extended beyond travel and power outages. Officials warned of potential coastal flooding due to high winds and storm surge. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds also created a risk of structural damage, particularly to older buildings.

The disruption to air travel is expected to have ripple effects throughout the week, as airlines work to clear backlogs and reposition aircraft. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight information.

The current storm is being described by meteorologists as one of the most powerful nor’easters in nearly a decade, impacting a densely populated region of the United States. The combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding created a significant challenge for emergency responders and local authorities.