The last statewide state of emergency occurred in 1996. New Jersey has not seen snowfall totals like the February 2026 blizzard since 2021.
The Garden State saw record snowfall over the weekend and into the early week beginning February 22nd, 2026, through Monday. Executive Order No. 45 was issued on January 8, 1996, for severe weather, terminating on January 13, 1996. Thirty years ago, the entire state was placed under a state of emergency due to blizzard warnings. Three decades later, the state is under extreme conditions with a majority of the state receiving at least fifteen inches of snow. Record-breaking numbers with some areas receiving over thirty inches. In 1996, the turnpike closed for the first time in its history. This time in 2026, crews worked around the clock to ensure everyone’s safety. With a ban on all travel except for essential workers, many used roadways to reach their jobs. Below is a photo of the Garden State Parkway near mile marker 83, with a crew clearing snow buildup and salting the roadways.
Lyndhurst, NJ, saw 30.7 inches of snow, a record for the area. Many other parts of New Jersey saw power outages, with over 150,000 people without power, according to energy provider Jersey Central Power & Light. Over 2,000 flights have been cancelled since the storm began, causing chaos for travellers who need to travel for events such as family emergencies, work, and pleasure.
Users on Threads submitted photos showing the magnitude of the storm.
