Travel Ban Massachusetts Declared After Bomb Cyclone Dumps Record Snow
Governor Maura Healey issued a travel ban massachusetts for four counties after a historic bomb cyclone dumped record snow across southern New England, grounding hundreds of local flights, knocking out power for more than a quarter-million residents and forcing dozens of school districts to close for a second straight day.
Travel Ban Massachusetts declared in four counties
Healey issued the travel ban for Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes and Plymouth counties, restricting non-essential vehicle travel in a large section of Southeastern Massachusetts because of dangerous road conditions. Officials warned that those who violate the ban could face a $500 fine.
Storm and record snowfall
The nor'easter accelerated into a bomb cyclone after Sunday night, undergoing "bombogenesis" with central pressure dropping 24 millibars or greater within 24 hours, the Globe weather team said. Whitman recorded 33. 7 inches for a 24-hour snowfall total, breaking the state 24-hour record; the previous mark was 29 inches in Natick during the April Fools' Day storm in 1997. Logan Airport recorded 16. 9 inches as of Monday night, and Dighton, New Bedford, Swansea and Taunton all reported more than two feet of snow.
Wind, coastal damage and flight disruption
High winds lashed coastal areas, with some Cape Cod towns and Island communities seeing gusts topping 70 mph and Nantucket registering a 78-mph gust shortly after 10: 30 a. m. ET. The storm paralyzed road travel and grounded hundreds of local flights; the T. F. Green Airport in Rhode Island had reached 37. 9 inches by 8 p. m. ET as the storm broke records there set by the Blizzard of '78.
Power outages and recovery obstacles
As of late Monday night there were still more than 269, 534 power outages in Massachusetts. winds slow to die down prevented immediate restoration work; crews need calmer winds so bucket trucks can safely reach downed lines and clear roads to access problem areas. State officials warned residents could face a "multiday power restoration. " In Scituate, Town Administrator James Boudreau said, "Things are a mess. "
Road rescues, schools and transit
State Police reported responding to more than 400 disabled vehicles through Monday afternoon as downed power lines, felled trees and abandoned or stuck cars complicated the state response. Dozens of school districts will be closed Tuesday for a second straight day, and the MBTA will continue to operate Tuesday with reduced service.
Local reaction and media availability
Residents and local officials described blinding snow, brutal winds and even thundersnow, particularly on Cape Cod and the South Coast. Jonathan Darling, a spokesperson for the city of New Bedford, said, "Thirty inches of snow is no joke, that's for sure. " Some local news pages showed service issues: one site displayed the headline "Your browser is not supported | patriotledger. com" with a notice asking users to download a supported browser, and another site title appeared as "Site Not Available". The National Guard — unclear in the provided context.
Healey summed up the storm during an afternoon press conference: "This storm has been a doozy. " the immediate priorities are clearing roads and restoring safe access for utility crews so power repairs can proceed.
Officials have scheduled reduced MBTA service for Tuesday and dozens of school districts remain closed Tuesday; those are the next confirmed public operations affected as communities begin to dig out.
