OUT AGAIN. NO, DOUG. YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. YOU SEE THIS CAR RIGHT HERE? THEY’VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF ALREADY, PRETTY MUCH ESSENTIALLY DIGGING OUT EVERYTHING. BUT IF YOU LOOK RIGHT BEHIND IT, THERE’S SOME VEHICLES THAT STILL HAVE SOME WORK TO DO. NOW, YOU MENTIONED THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE’VE HAD TO DO THIS IN ABOUT FOUR WEEKS. THE CITY IS GIVING THEM A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TIME. THEY’RE EXTENDING THE SNOW EMERGENCY IN PARKING BAN UNTIL AT LEAST 6:00 TONIGHT. THAT MEANS PEOPLE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOTS. THIS DISCOUNTED PARKING LOTS WON’T HAVE TO PAY THOSE BILLS UNTIL AT LEAST 6:00. SO THAT’S SOME CERTAINLY SOME RELIEF. AS THE MAYOR SAYS RIGHT NOW, THE FOCUS IS CLEANING UP ALL THE SNOW AND ALSO TRYING TO GET SCHOOLS BACK OPEN. TAKE A LISTEN. WE WANTED TO GIVE PLENTY OF NOTICE THAT THIS BAN WILL NOW BE IN EFFECT, AT LEAST THROUGH 6 P.M. THE HOPE IS THAT AT THAT POINT, THE WEATHER AND THE SNOW AND CLEANUP LOOKS OKAY, BUT WE WILL, AT CLOSER TO THAT TIME, GIVE OFFICIAL WORD AS TO WHEN IT IS GOING TO BE LIFTED. YEAH, PART OF THE REASON IT CONTINUING THAT PARKING BAN UNTIL 6:00, THE MAYOR SAID, WAS TO NOT ONLY FOCUS ON THE SIDEWALKS NEAR SCHOOLS, BUT ALSO TO WIDEN THE ROADWAYS, WHICH ARE CRITICAL NOT ONLY FOR PARENTS DROPPING OFF, BUT FOR THE 700 BUSSES THAT DPS USES. AS FAR AS THE SPACE SAVERS, IT’S 48 HOURS AFTER THE SNOW EMERGENCY ENDS, AND OF COURSE, YOU CAN’T USE SPACE SAVERS HERE IN THE SOUTH END AND RIGHT NEXT DOOR IN BAY VILLAGE, REPORTING LIVE IN THE SOUTH END THIS MORNING, MAT
Residents digging out from historic blizzard; Massachusetts travel ban remains
Dozens of communities declare local states of emergency
Updated: 5:49 AM EST Feb 24, 2026
Residents are digging out Tuesday from the blizzard that dumped nearly 3 feet of snow in Massachusetts as a travel ban for nonessential motor vehicles remains in place in parts of the state. The travel ban applies in Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes 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“We need everyone to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow our crews to do their work – especially in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties and on the Vineyard. We will also have additional members of the National Guard assisting municipalities with snow and debris removal, transportation, non-fire related emergency responses, rescues and any other needs,” Gov. Maura Healey said.Local states of emergencyThe snow emergency in Boston has been extended until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to Mayor Michelle Wu. “The hope is that at that point, the weather, the snow, the clean up looks OK, but we will at closer to that time give official word as to when it will be lifted,” Wu said.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 outagesAs of Tuesday morning, more than 250,000 customers across eastern Massachusetts remained without power, and officials have 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. —
Residents are digging out Tuesday from the blizzard that dumped nearly 3 feet of snow in Massachusetts as a travel ban for nonessential motor vehicles remains in place in parts of the state.
The travel ban applies in Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes 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
“We need everyone to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow our crews to do their work – especially in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties and on the Vineyard. We will also have additional members of the National Guard assisting municipalities with snow and debris removal, transportation, non-fire related emergency responses, rescues and any other needs,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
Local states of emergency
The snow emergency in Boston has been extended until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to Mayor Michelle Wu.
“The hope is that at that point, the weather, the snow, the clean up looks OK, but we will at closer to that time give official word as to when it will be lifted,” Wu said.
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
As of Tuesday morning, more than 250,000 customers across eastern Massachusetts remained without power, and officials have 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