New York Snowstorm: Zohran Mamdani Declares State of Emergency, Orders Citywide Travel Ban

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared stat of emergency in city on Sunday, February 23, ahead of a snowstorm. Mamdani ordered a shutdown and a travel ban across NYC as a precautionary measure to protect citizens. According to the weather forecast, a massive snowstorm is likely to hit the northeast US.

The travel ban will begin from the night of Sunday (February 22) at 9 pm until Monday (February 23) afternoon. This means no vehicles on streets, highways and bridge will be operated. Cars, trucks, scooters and e-bikes will not be allowed. Only emergency and essential vehicles such as ambulance, police and fire brigade vehicles are allowed in the emergency situation.

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions batter New York City as a powerful nor'easter dumps up to 2 feet possible, with 12-18 inches forecast for the five boroughs amid whiteout visibility and wind gusts to 55 mph.

FDR Drive footage shows intense accumulation and near-zero visibility… pic.twitter.com/YZYODmEvB3

— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) February 22, 2026

Also Read | Blizzard warnings issued across US East Coast.

The call has been made! NYC Public Schools will have a full snow day tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/2tXF3Wo3TY

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 22, 2026

New York is home to over eight million people. "We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non essential travel," the mayor said. "New York City has not faced a storm of this scale in the last decade." The fast-moving storm is moving towards the US East Coast, threatening to fill the region with at least one foot of snow. 

Forecast: 18 - 22 inches of snow.

Wind: Strong. Gusts up to 50 mph.

Coastal flooding: Possible. Up to 2.5 feet in high tide.

Code Blue: Live. Outreach teams working 24/7.

Alternate side parking: Suspended Monday.

Libraries: Closed Monday.

DSNY: Ready to take on the…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 22, 2026

Weather departments forecasted heavy snowfall and gale-force winds to slam all major cities along the densely populated Interstate 95 northeast corridor, including Boston, Philadelphia, and even Washington, further south.

The NWS headquarters said snowfall rates of more than one inch (2.5 centimetres) an hour will occur at times along parts of the East Coast, with huge snow totals making travel nearly impossible. Power outages are likely.