Massachusetts blizzard triggers nonessential travel ban, local states of emergency
Dozens of communities declare local states of emergency
THAT. LET’S TAKE YOU TO FRAMINGHAM. THE GOVERNOR HAS JUST ARRIVED. LET’S LISTEN EVERYONE, WE’RE HERE AT THE BUNKER TODAY. THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, JUST TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE. AS YOU KNOW, THIS STORM HAS BEEN A DOOZY. AS PREDICTED, WE SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE SERIOUS AND SEVERE. IT HAS BEEN SERIOUS AND SEVERE. JOINING ME TODAY ARE MEMA DIRECTOR DON BRANTLEY AND MEMBERS OF THE FANTASTIC MEMA TEAM, WHO’VE BEEN COORDINATING OUR STATEWIDE RESPONSE. I’M ALSO JOINED BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL DANIEL TUCKER, THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE, AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL BARRON OF THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS NOR’EASTER HAS BEEN AS EXPECTED, A REALLY, REALLY POWERFUL STORM. AND AT THIS POINT, EVERYBODY’S OUT. EVERYBODY’S WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD TO CLEAR THE ROADS. BUT THE SNOW IS STILL COMING DOWN PRETTY HARD, AND IT WILL BE FOR A WHILE. THE WIND IS STILL BLOWING, WHICH GETS IN THE WAY OF A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS. AND FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY, WE BEG AND ASK EVERYBODY TO STAY OFF OF THE ROADS SO THAT THE CREWS CAN GET OUT THERE AND DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. PEOPLE HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB SO FAR OF STAYING OFF THE ROADS, AND WE JUST ASK THEM TO CONTINUE TO STAY OFF THE ROADS FOR THE NEXT REALLY SEVERAL HOURS, WELL INTO THE NIGHT, IF NOT INTO TOMORROW MORNING. WE’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU CAN BE BACK ON THE ROADS. ACCORDING TO METEOROLOGISTS, WE HAVEN’T SEEN A SNOWSTORM QUITE LIKE THIS AS INTENSE AND AT LEAST FOUR YEARS, AND SOME ARE COMPARING IT TO THE BLIZZARD OF 78. THAT’S BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF THE SNOW, THE AMOUNT OF SNOW, AND ALSO JUST THE WIND GUSTS, WHICH ARE SO SIGNIFICANT. SNOWFALL RATES HAVE REMAINED HIGH ACROSS THE STATE. TOTALS IN MANY PLACES IN THE STATE HAVE ALREADY EXCEEDED TWO FEET, CERTAINLY IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. AND IT’S GOING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP FALLING, WE EXPECT UNTIL LATER THIS EVENING. WIND GUSTS REACHED HURRICANE FORCE LEVELS. WE SAW 79 80MPH IN PLACES ON THE OUTER CAPE, UP TO 60MPH ACROSS EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. VISIBILITY, AS A RESULT, HAS BEEN CLOSE TO ZERO. SO A FEW THINGS TO KNOW AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THE STATE OF EMERGENCY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THOSE TRAVELING ON THE PIKE. AND AGAIN, IT’S ONLY THOSE WHO NEED TO TRAVEL FIRST RESPONDERS, THOSE PROVIDING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, AND REALLY ONLY THOSE WHO NEED TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE SPEED LIMIT FOR THE MASS PIKE IS 40 MILES AN HOUR. THIS IS NEW INFORMATION BASED ON WHAT’S HAPPENING. I’VE INSTITUTED A TRAVEL BAN FOR PLYMOUTH, BRISTOL AND BARNSTABLE COUNTY. SO THAT’S THE SOUTH COAST AND CAPE COD. WE NEEDED TO DO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A PARTICULARLY HARD HIT AREA. WE NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY FOR ALL ESSENTIAL VEHICLE TRAVEL TO BE ABLE TO TO, TO GO THROUGH. AND ANYBODY WHO DOESN’T NEED TO BE ON THE ROAD SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. SO BASICALLY TRAVEL BAN IN PLACE. YOU CAN’T BE ON THE ROAD, ON THE CAPE OR ON THE SOUTH COAST. THAT’S BRISTOL, PLYMOUTH AND BARNSTABLE COUNTY. OKAY. THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THOSE PLACES WHO CAN CAN DRIVE RIGHT NOW ARE PEOPLE LIKE FIRST RESPONDERS, PUBLIC EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, UTILITY CREWS, AND THE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS WHO ARE SUPPORTING THOSE EFFORTS. FOOD AND FUEL DELIVERY AND MEDICAL STAFF. NOW, THAT’S NOT JUST DOCTORS AND NURSES. IT’S ALSO THOSE THAT ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES AS WELL. SO IF YOU DON’T FALL INTO ONE OF THOSE CATEGORIES, DON’T BE ON THE ROAD IN BRISTOL, PLYMOUTH AND BARNSTABLE COUNTIES. WE ALSO HAVE REPORTS OF ABANDONED TRUCKS AND CARS, STUCK CARS, STUCK VEHICLES ON ROADS AROUND MASSACHUSETTS. AGAIN, THIS IS A REASON WE JUST DON’T WANT YOU OUT THERE BECAUSE IT CREATES BURDEN ON OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. AND AND AS I SAY, WE’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU CAN GET BACK OUT ON THE ROADS. THERE ARE ALSO AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY HARD HIT. I MENTIONED THE SOUTHCOAST, THE CAPE. WE ARE SURGING AND DIRECTING EXTRA RESOURCES TOWARDS THOSE AREAS. SO FAR, FORTUNATELY, WE’VE SEEN FEWER CRASHES. CRASHES THAN USUAL. THAT’S A GOOD THING AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION AND NOT NOT GETTING ON THE ROADS. BUT REALLY, THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT POWER OUTAGES. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE HAD SOME. OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW, EVERSOURCE AND NATIONAL GRID ARE REPORTING A COMBINED TOTAL OF ABOUT 290,000 POWER OUTAGES AROUND THE STATE. AGAIN, IT’S MOSTLY NANTUCKET THE VINEYARD, THE CAPE ALONG THE SOUTH COAST, AND SOME PARTS OF THE NORTH SHORE. WE’VE BEEN VERY PROACTIVE AND IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE UTILITY COMPANIES ABOUT THESE OUTAGES. I CAN TELL YOU I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THEM NOW AGAIN, THEY’VE GOT EXTRA CREW STAGED, THEY’VE GOT MORE CREWS COMING IN, BUT THIS TAKES TIME. AND WHEN IT COMES TO POWER RESTORATION, THE ISSUE REALLY ISN’T GOING TO BE CREWS. WE’VE GOT THE CREWS, THEY’VE GOT THE CREWS THERE AND MORE CREWS ARE COMING. THE ISSUE IS GOING TO BE ACCESS. SO WIND IS THE WIND DIE DOWN ENOUGH SO THAT IT’S SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT IN BUCKET TRUCKS. THAT’S ONE THING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE ROADS NEED TO BE CLEAR, SO THAT THESE UTILITY COMPANIES AND CREWS CAN GET INTO THESE AREAS. SO THE THE RESTORATION OF POWER HAS BEEN SLOWED BY THE WEATHER. IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU. WE EXPECT TOMORROW TO HAVE TO HAVE THE T AND THE COMMUTER RAIL REMAIN ON THAT REDUCED SCHEDULE SERVICE. WE’VE ALSO SUSPENDED THE RIDE FOR THE TIME BEING. ANYBODY WHO NEEDS SERVICES, WE’RE REACHING OUT TO, BUT WE’VE GOT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE ROADS. RIGHT NOW. AS I MENTIONED YESTERDAY, WE WERE DEPLOYING THE NATIONAL GUARD. WE’VE GOT 200 NATIONAL GUARD’S PEOPLE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW ASSISTING, AND WE CONTINUE TO BE THERE TO RESPOND SPECIFICALLY TO PARTICULAR REGIONS THAT THAT ARE NEEDING HELP AT THIS TIME. SO, BOTTOM LINE, STAY OFF THE ROADS. WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PATIENT. THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE. IT LOOKS LIKE FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER POWER RESTORATION. I KNOW CREWS ARE GOING TO GET AFTER IT AGGRESSIVELY AS SOON AS THE WIND DIES DOWN. AND IT’S SAFE TO TO GET OUT THERE AND THE ROADS ARE ARE CLEARED FOR THEM. BUT BE SURE TO CHECK IN ON YOUR NEIGHBORS. AND ALSO IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY WHO NEEDS TO GET TO A WARMING SHELTER, YOU’VE LOST POWER. YOU’RE, YOU KNOW, COLD. CALL 211. RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. WE’LL MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN GET AND WE’LL GET YOU TO A PLACE WHERE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN BE WARM AND SAFE IN THE I
Massachusetts blizzard triggers nonessential travel ban, local states of emergency
Dozens of communities declare local states of emergency
Updated: 4:44 PM EST Feb 23, 2026
Dozens of Massachusetts communities declared local states of emergency because of Monday’s blizzard, and Gov. Maura Healey on Monday issued a travel ban for nonessential motor vehicles in parts of the state. “This storm has been a doozy,” the governor said during a statement at the Massachusetts Emergency Management bunker in Framingham. “As predicted, we said it was going to be serious and severe. It has been serious and severe.””This has been quite a storm so far, and there is still more to come. We’re not out of the woods yet,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley.The travel ban applies in Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties, although motorists are urged to stay off the roads throughout the state. Violations can be penalized with a $500 fine. The speed limit on the Mass Pike has also been reduced to 40 miles per hour. StormTeam 5 tools: Alerts | Futurecast | Map Room | Radar | Closings | Snowfall totals“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,” Healey said. “While this travel ban is limited to the South Coast, we urge everyone across the state to stay off the roads for your safety and for the safety of plow drivers and emergency officials who are trying to do their jobs.”MassDOT is redeploying equipment to the South Coast to assist municipal partners with the snowfall. Motorists should expect a reduced level of service on highways statewide for a prolonged period, officials said. Local states of emergencyAccording to MEMA, 25 communities have declared local states of emergency. Cities and towns have also opened at least 17 warming centers and four shelters. “MEMA staff have worked with partners in the room to support requests for high water and rescue vehicles, snow equipment, generators, and more,” said Brantley.Healey had already declared a state of emergency for the commonwealth ahead of the storm. Two hundred members of the National Guard were activated.Power outagesHundreds of thousands of customers across eastern Massachusetts lost power because of the storm. Brantley warned that restoration efforts may require multiple days of work.While hundreds of crews were staged across the state, restoration efforts could be slowed by dangerous conditions. Utility workers operating bucket trucks can typically work only when winds are below 35 miles an hour.MBTA service changesRed, Orange, Blue, and Green Line trains will continue to operate on Tuesday at reduced levels, which officials compared to Sunday schedules. Bus routes follow snow routes and operate on a similar reduced schedule. All Commuter Rail lines will operate on their reduced storm schedules.MBTA officials said they are cycling trains in and out of rail yards to ensure they do not sit idle for extended periods. Some trains will also run without passengers to help keep tracks clear. Travel ban detailsHealey said the travel ban will support snow removal operations in the heavily affected areas. Those who are exempt from the travel ban include: Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel, including those providing services at correctional facilities, and private sector security personnel Public works vehicles and public works personnel, including contract personnel supporting public works operations Public transportation vehicles and public transportation personnel, including contract personnel supporting public transportation operations Government personnel conducting official business Utility company vehicles and personnel, including contract personnel supporting utility response and restoration efforts Personnel directly supporting storm response operations, including but not limited to emergency shelter personnel Personnel supporting human services facilities, including but not limited to residential housing programs and human services shelter operations Health care personnel, including but not limited to home health care personnel and personal care assistants Personnel delivering or supporting services at health care facilities, including those that provide long-term care and mental health care, as well as hospitals and other health care facilities Vehicles and personnel providing critical supplies to health care facilities, including those that provide long-term care and mental health care, as well as hospitals and other health care facilities News media Private sector snow removal equipment engaged in, or traveling in connection with the removal or clearance of snow and ice from public or private sector facilities Patients traveling for the purpose of receiving urgent critical care, and persons traveling with those patients who are necessary to facilitate that urgent critical care Travel necessary to maintain critical private sector facilities, services and operations, and to deliver or support critical private sector services and supplies in critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, fuel, financial systems, and the provision of critical commodities Travel to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, food stores and hardware stores
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. —
Dozens of Massachusetts communities declared local states of emergency because of Monday’s blizzard, and Gov. Maura Healey on Monday issued a travel ban for nonessential motor vehicles in parts of the state.
“This storm has been a doozy,” the governor said during a statement at the Massachusetts Emergency Management bunker in Framingham. “As predicted, we said it was going to be serious and severe. It has been serious and severe.”
“This has been quite a storm so far, and there is still more to come. We’re not out of the woods yet,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley.
The travel ban applies in Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties, although motorists are urged to stay off the roads throughout the state. Violations can be penalized with a $500 fine.
The speed limit on the Mass Pike has also been reduced to 40 miles per hour.
StormTeam 5 tools: Alerts | Futurecast | Map Room | Radar | Closings | Snowfall totals
“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,” Healey said. “While this travel ban is limited to the South Coast, we urge everyone across the state to stay off the roads for your safety and for the safety of plow drivers and emergency officials who are trying to do their jobs.”
MassDOT is redeploying equipment to the South Coast to assist municipal partners with the snowfall. Motorists should expect a reduced level of service on highways statewide for a prolonged period, officials said.
Local states of emergency
According to MEMA, 25 communities have declared local states of emergency.
Cities and towns have also opened at least 17 warming centers and four shelters.
“MEMA staff have worked with partners in the room to support requests for high water and rescue vehicles, snow equipment, generators, and more,” said Brantley.
Healey had already declared a state of emergency for the commonwealth ahead of the storm. Two hundred members of the National Guard were activated.
Power outages
Hundreds of thousands of customers across eastern Massachusetts lost power because of the storm. Brantley warned that restoration efforts may require multiple days of work.
While hundreds of crews were staged across the state, restoration efforts could be slowed by dangerous conditions. Utility workers operating bucket trucks can typically work only when winds are below 35 miles an hour.
MBTA service changes
Red, Orange, Blue, and Green Line trains will continue to operate on Tuesday at reduced levels, which officials compared to Sunday schedules. Bus routes follow snow routes and operate on a similar reduced schedule.
All Commuter Rail lines will operate on their reduced storm schedules.
MBTA officials said they are cycling trains in and out of rail yards to ensure they do not sit idle for extended periods. Some trains will also run without passengers to help keep tracks clear.
Travel ban details
Healey said the travel ban will support snow removal operations in the heavily affected areas.
Those who are exempt from the travel ban include:
Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel, including those providing services at correctional facilities, and private sector security personnel Public works vehicles and public works personnel, including contract personnel supporting public works operations Public transportation vehicles and public transportation personnel, including contract personnel supporting public transportation operations Government personnel conducting official business Utility company vehicles and personnel, including contract personnel supporting utility response and restoration efforts Personnel directly supporting storm response operations, including but not limited to emergency shelter personnel Personnel supporting human services facilities, including but not limited to residential housing programs and human services shelter operations Health care personnel, including but not limited to home health care personnel and personal care assistants Personnel delivering or supporting services at health care facilities, including those that provide long-term care and mental health care, as well as hospitals and other health care facilities Vehicles and personnel providing critical supplies to health care facilities, including those that provide long-term care and mental health care, as well as hospitals and other health care facilities News media Private sector snow removal equipment engaged in, or traveling in connection with the removal or clearance of snow and ice from public or private sector facilities Patients traveling for the purpose of receiving urgent critical care, and persons traveling with those patients who are necessary to facilitate that urgent critical care Travel necessary to maintain critical private sector facilities, services and operations, and to deliver or support critical private sector services and supplies in critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, fuel, financial systems, and the provision of critical commodities Travel to support business operations that provide critical services to the public, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, food stores and hardware stores