By Tiffany Williams –
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has officially ended the state of emergency that was declared ahead of a blizzard that swept across the state earlier this week, concluding a massive and coordinated response involving multiple state agencies, municipalities, and neighboring states and Canada. The declaration had been in effect as state and local authorities prepared for and responded to one of the most challenging winter storms of the season.
“The people of Massachusetts always come together to help each other in our time of need,” Governor Healey said. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has worked around the clock for the past week to prepare for and respond to this storm. I also appreciate the strong support from our neighbors in New York, Vermont, Connecticut and even New Hampshire. This has been a hard week, especially for those in Southeastern Massachusetts, and the work isn’t done yet, but we are going to keep working together to recover and support one another.”
State agencies reported extensive mobilization in response to the storm. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation deployed over 3,000 pieces of state and vendor equipment, while the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) responded to 200 requests for assistance. The National Guard contributed 350 members to aid in recovery operations. Interstate support was crucial, with the Vermont Agency of Transportation sending around 30 vehicles and staff, the New York State Thruway Authority, Department of Transportation, and Power Authority deploying over 50 pieces of equipment, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation contributing 45 pieces of equipment along with 85 drivers and mechanics. These efforts helped reduce the number of Massachusetts residents without power from a high of 291,859 to just 940 by Friday afternoon.
MEMA coordinated the statewide response through the State Emergency Operations Center in Framingham, which facilitated communication and coordination among public safety, transportation, public health, utilities, fire services, environmental protection, and mass care operations. Regional Emergency Operations Centers in Agawam, Franklin, and Tewksbury were activated, and personnel were deployed to the Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center. MEMA’s Local Coordinators conducted outreach to every city and town in the hardest-hit eastern regions, assessing needs and deploying resources. The agency also hosted daily statewide calls to ensure coordination among local emergency management directors before, during, and after the storm. MEMA’s Recovery Unit has begun initial damage assessments to inform potential federal support.
The Department of Fire Services staffed Special Operations teams in three strategic regions to assist local fire departments as needed. On Thursday, a DFS Incident Support Unit provided communications assistance to a Public Safety Answering Point after a generator failure left it without power. Officials reminded residents to “adopt” their nearest fire hydrant by clearing snow and ice around it, and to keep exhaust vents from furnaces, dryers, and heating appliances clear to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued guidance to local governments and businesses on snow disposal to protect wetlands, drinking water, and waterbodies. Communities and businesses that have exhausted upland snow disposal options may receive Emergency Certifications from local conservation commissions to allow snow disposal in certain wetland resource areas.
Staff from the Department of Conservation and Recreation worked across the state to monitor and clear DCR-managed roadways, parkways, bridges, parking lots, and pedestrian pathways. They prioritized clearing safe routes to schools and essential areas, dispatched hundreds of pieces of equipment, and assisted communities with shelter setup in Harwich and tree removal in Orleans, Chatham, Brewster, and Fairhaven. DCR Fire and Ranger staff also provided incident management support at the Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center throughout the week.
In Worcester, the Winter Weather Emergency and the declared Winter Parking Ban were lifted at 5 p.m. Friday, February 27. Residents who parked in municipal garages during the ban have until 12 p.m. Saturday, February 28, to exit without charge, with regular rates applying for vehicles entering after the ban lifted. Snow removal operations were expected to continue through Friday evening, and residents were advised not to impede these efforts. A Permanent Winter Parking Ban remains in effect on Emergency Arteries, Worcester Regional Transit Authority Bus Routes, and critical traffic streets, with parking prohibited between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and any time a snow emergency is declared.
Residents and business owners are also reminded to clear and treat sidewalks in front of their property within 10 hours of a winter storm, maintaining a minimum width of four feet, including crosswalk ramps. Noncompliance with this ordinance carries a $75 fine.
The blizzard response highlighted the scope of coordination between state, local, and regional partners, underscoring the reliance on both in-state resources and interstate cooperation to restore services and support residents. While the emergency has officially ended, recovery efforts and cleanup continue across the state.