Northeast Digs Out After Historic Snowstorm, Hundreds of Thousands Still Without Power

A powerful winter storm, dubbed Hernando, has moved out of the Northeast, leaving behind a trail of heavy snow, widespread power outages, and significant travel disruptions. As of Tuesday morning, February 24, 2026, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses remain without electricity, with Massachusetts being the hardest-hit state.

Storm Impact and Power Outages

The storm brought blizzard conditions to a 700-mile stretch of the East Coast, from Maryland to Maine, with some areas receiving over two feet of snow. According to CBS News, over 360,000 homes and businesses were in the dark as of 5 a.m. EST Tuesday.

Massachusetts is experiencing the most significant outages, with approximately 255,000 customers without power. USA Today reported that in Barnstable and Nantucket counties, between 50% and 85% of the population lost power. New Jersey reported over 35,000 outages, while Delaware and Rhode Island likewise experienced tens of thousands of outages.

New Jersey had 113,596 outages around 3:15 p.m. ET on February 23, totaling about 2.7% of power customers, according to USA Today.

Travel Disruptions

The storm caused widespread travel chaos, with more than 12,000 flights canceled from Sunday through Tuesday, according to FlightAware. Flights were largely suspended from Philadelphia north to Boston, impacting major hubs in those cities, as well as Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Several states issued travel bans, including New Jersey and New York City, as officials urged residents to stay off the roads due to dangerous conditions.

Snowfall Totals

Snow accumulation was significant across the region. Babylon, New York, reported over 29 inches of snow, while Freehold, New Jersey, received more than 26 inches, CBS News reported. Central Park in New York City recorded over 19 inches, making it the ninth largest snowfall in the city’s history dating back to 1869.

Ongoing Concerns

While the heaviest snow has ended, strong winds are expected to continue across the Northeast overnight, potentially causing whiteout conditions from drifting snow, according to Weather.com. Coastal flooding remains a concern, with high tide early Tuesday morning potentially causing additional issues.

Key Takeaways

• Winter Storm Hernando brought blizzard conditions to the Northeast.
• Hundreds of thousands of customers are still without power, particularly in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
• Travel has been severely disrupted, with thousands of flights canceled.
• Strong winds and potential coastal flooding remain concerns.