Northeast Gripped by Historic Blizzard, Millions Face Travel Chaos
A massive winter storm has brought the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to a standstill, triggering widespread travel disruptions, power outages and states of emergency. As of Monday, February 23, 2026, more than 40 million people were under blizzard warnings stretching over 700 miles from Maryland to Maine, according to reports.
The storm, described by some as a “ciclón bomba” (bomb cyclone) by Laredo Morning Times, has led to the cancellation of over 10,000 flights through Tuesday, with the most significant disruptions centered around major airports in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Airlines began preemptively canceling flights as early as Saturday in anticipation of the severe weather. Monday alone saw over 5,600 flights canceled, following more than 3,400 cancellations on Sunday. Another 1,700 U.S. Flights were already canceled for Tuesday, as airlines cautiously eyed a potential return to service.
Power outages are impacting hundreds of thousands of residents across the region. As of midday Monday, poweroutage.us reported more than half a million outages, with Massachusetts particularly hard hit, experiencing over 289,000 outages. New Jersey reported more than 141,000 outages, while Delaware and Rhode Island were also grappling with tens of thousands of customers without power.
Snowfall totals have been staggering. Parts of Long Island and New Jersey have received over two feet of snow, with Babylon, New York, reporting over 29 inches and Freehold, New Jersey, recording more than 26 inches. Even New York City saw significant accumulation, with over 15 inches recorded in Central Park, according to the National Weather Service.
The impact extended beyond air travel. NJ Transit train service was suspended in New Jersey due to the storm conditions, as shown in images from Rutherford, New Jersey. Several school districts, including those in New York City and Boston, closed schools on Monday. Despite the ongoing conditions, New York City Mayor Mamdani announced that in-person classes would resume on Tuesday.
The storm’s intensity prompted several states – New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut – to declare states of emergency, implementing commercial vehicle bans and travel restrictions. The conditions have led to empty streets in major cities like New York, with residents and vacationers alike experiencing an unusual quiet, according to reports from NBC News.
Residents are bracing for continued challenges. In New York, some are finding streets deserted and flights grounded, while others are focused on the more immediate task of clearing snow. One New York City resident, a lifelong local, described the scene as the quietest he had ever witnessed. The storm is impacting daily life, forcing people to adapt to the challenging conditions and heed warnings from officials.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. The focus is now on recovery efforts and restoring essential services as the storm begins to move away from the region.
