Shattering Snowfall Records (Image Credits: Flickr)
Northeast – Winter Storm Hernando unleashed a ferocious blizzard across the region on February 23, burying communities under heavy snow and prompting emergency declarations from seven governors.[1][2]
Shattering Snowfall Records
Providence, Rhode Island, recorded 33 inches of snow, smashing the previous 24-hour record of 19 inches from 1996 and the two-day mark of 28.6 inches set during the 1978 blizzard.[1][2] Nearby T.F. Green International Airport measured 37.9 inches, while parts of Rhode Island saw up to 36 inches.[1]
Massachusetts locations like Whitman tallied 33.7 inches, and New Bedford exceeded 30 inches.[1] New York City’s Central Park accumulated nearly 20 inches, ranking as the ninth-highest total on record there.[1] Snowfall rates reached 3 inches per hour in some spots, fueled by the storm’s bomb cyclone intensification.[2]
| Location | Snow Total (inches) | Record Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | 33 | Shattered 1978 two-day record |
| T.F. Green Airport, RI | 37.9 | New all-time high |
| Whitman, MA | 33.7 | Historic accumulation |
| Central Park, NYC | ~20 | 9th highest on record |
| Islip, NY | 31 | Potential new record |
Governors Activate Emergency Protocols
Seven states issued states of emergency as the storm intensified, with governors imposing travel restrictions to aid response efforts.[2] Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee enacted a statewide travel ban, while Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey limited speeds on the Turnpike to 40 mph and banned non-essential vehicles in coastal counties.[1]
New York Governor Kathy Hochul mobilized resources statewide, and similar measures followed in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.[2] Healey urged residents to stay home, stating, “We’ll get through this.”[1] These actions prioritized clearing roads for plows and utility crews.
Massive Travel Chaos and Power Failures
Airlines canceled over 9,900 flights nationwide, with thousands more affected the following day.[2] Rail services like NJ Transit and Amtrak halted operations, and New York City banned non-essential vehicles.[1]
Power outages peaked at more than 650,000 customers across the Northeast, including nearly 300,000 in Massachusetts alone.[2] Hundreds of vehicles stranded on icy roads in Massachusetts, where rescue operations paused amid whiteout conditions.[1] Schools closed, Broadway shows canceled, and mass transit ground to a halt.
- Over 5,600 flight cancellations on February 23
- Travel bans in multiple states
- Roads blocked by snow and fallen trees
- Subways delayed, some lines suspended
Gale-Force Winds Compound the Crisis
Hurricane-force gusts exceeded 70 mph in coastal areas, including 79 mph in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, toppling trees and power lines.[2] The storm claimed at least two lives in Maryland when a tree struck a vehicle.[2]
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu praised residents for staying indoors, noting fewer emergency calls than expected.[1] Cleanup efforts faced ongoing challenges from drifting snow and persistent winds.
Key Takeaways:
- Record snow shattered 1978 benchmarks in Rhode Island and beyond.
- Seven states declared emergencies to manage widespread outages and travel halts.
- Bomb cyclone dynamics amplified impacts, but communities showed resilience.
As plows and crews work through the week, the Northeast digs out from one of its most intense storms in decades. Officials emphasize patience amid restoration delays. How is your area faring? Tell us in the comments.
