A ferocious nor'easter pounded Massachusetts on Monday, February 23, 2026, dumping heavy, wet snow and unleashing damaging winds that toppled trees, snapped power lines and plunged more than 210,000 customers into darkness across the state.

(VIDEO) Power Outages Massachusetts: Nor'easter Batters Massachusetts, Leaving Over 210,000
(VIDEO) Power Outages Massachusetts: Nor'easter Batters Massachusetts, Leaving Over 210,000 Without Power

The storm, which intensified overnight and peaked during the morning hours, triggered widespread power outages, blizzard conditions in many areas and treacherous travel that officials described as nearly impossible. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported escalating outages throughout the day, with figures climbing rapidly as wind gusts exceeded 70 mph in southeastern regions and snow accumulated at rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour in parts of the state.

By mid-afternoon, PowerOutage.us and utility reports showed Massachusetts leading the Northeast with around 181,000 to over 210,000 affected customers, part of a regional total exceeding 511,000 outages stretching from New Jersey to New England. Eversource Energy, the state's largest utility, reported more than 135,000 of its customers without power at one point, while National Grid cited tens of thousands more in its service areas. Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts bore the brunt, with Barnstable County seeing over a quarter of customers impacted and towns like Plymouth reporting nearly 10,000 outages.

The nor'easter arrived Sunday night after days of forecasts warning of its potential historic impacts. A blizzard warning remained in effect for eastern, central and southern Massachusetts until 7 a.m. Tuesday, covering areas from Greater Boston to the Cape and Islands. The National Weather Service in Boston highlighted the dangerous combination of heavy, wet snow — up to 18 to 24 inches in many spots — and sustained winds that created whiteout conditions, reduced visibility to a quarter-mile or less and posed life-threatening risks for anyone venturing out.

Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency effective Sunday evening through early Tuesday, urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. "This is a high-impact storm with blizzard conditions, and power outages will be likely," Healey said in pre-storm briefings. Officials mobilized resources early, staging hundreds of utility crews and emergency personnel, but restoration efforts faced severe constraints: bucket trucks and line workers can only operate safely when winds drop below 35 mph, delaying repairs in the hardest-hit zones.

Utility spokespeople warned that some outages could persist for days. Eversource estimated potential restoration times of three to five days in severely affected areas, while National Grid emphasized the challenges posed by fallen trees entangling lines amid ongoing snowfall and gusts. Customers were advised to report outages directly to their providers — Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or online, National Grid at 1-800-322-3223 — and to sign up for alerts. Both companies urged residents to charge devices, prepare emergency kits and never approach downed wires.

The storm's ferocity stemmed from its rapid intensification, with barometric pressure dropping sharply to create bomb cyclone characteristics. Wind gusts reached 70 mph or higher along the coast, contributing to coastal flooding risks in low-lying areas. Snow fell heaviest in southeastern Massachusetts, where blizzard conditions were most pronounced, while inland areas saw accumulations closer to 12 to 18 inches.

Travel ground to a halt across the region. State police and transportation officials restricted non-essential driving, with similar measures in neighboring states like Rhode Island and New Jersey. Airports faced widespread cancellations, and public transit services suspended or limited operations. Schools and non-essential businesses remained closed, with many communities activating warming centers for those without power.

The outages compounded safety concerns, as residents relied on generators — with warnings to operate them outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning — or sought shelter elsewhere. MEMA directed those without electricity to call 211 for warming center locations.

Meteorologists noted the storm's wet, heavy snow as a key factor in the outages. Accumulating on trees and power lines already stressed by wind, it created widespread structural failures. Forecasters predicted the worst conditions through midday Monday, with winds easing and snow tapering by evening, leading to partial clearing Tuesday with temperatures near freezing.

This nor'easter follows an active winter pattern for Massachusetts, which had already seen significant snowfall earlier in the season. The state recorded 43.3 inches seasonally before this event, and totals from the storm could push many areas well above average.

As crews worked amid hazardous conditions, officials reiterated calls for patience and safety. "Our focus is public safety and stabilizing the system as conditions allow," said Eversource spokesperson Olessa Stepanova. Restoration priorities target critical infrastructure like hospitals and emergency services first.

The storm's regional scope left neighboring states similarly battered: New Jersey reported over 129,000 outages, Delaware nearly 72,000 and others in the tens of thousands. The Northeast's power grid faced one of its most severe tests of the season, underscoring vulnerabilities to extreme winter weather amplified by heavy precipitation and wind.

Residents were urged to monitor updates from MEMA, local authorities and utilities as the storm slowly moved offshore. With sunshine forecast for Tuesday, melting could begin, but lingering outages and potential refreezing posed ongoing risks.